A Palm Beach County woman has been sentenced to two decades in prison after running a complex fraud operation that targeted victims across the country.
Kadesa Sayles, reportedly a mother of six, was convicted on 18 felony counts, including identity theft and grand theft, with total losses exceeding $100,000.
Court records and official statements did not mention a plea deal, but online chatter claims Sayles was previously offered a five-year plea agreement and declined it before going to trial. That claim has circulated widely on social media following her sentencing, though it has not been confirmed by prosecutors or included in court filings tied to the case.
The case began when a 75-year-old man noticed suspicious activity on his mobile account. Someone posing as a service representative persuaded him to share a verification code, which allowed the scammer to transfer his phone number to a different carrier. Once Sayles gained control of the number, she attempted to access his banking, email, and Apple accounts, putting the victim’s financial and digital life in jeopardy.
Investigators traced the scam to Sayles, who had a record of similar criminal activity in Virginia. Authorities discovered she had tried to move more than $220,000 through wire transfers into accounts that were virtually impossible to track. Another victim in Las Vegas reported that his number had been hijacked as well, and photos from his iCloud were found on Sayles’s devices, confirming her involvement.
Police executed a search at Sayles’s residence on May 5. Inside, they found a notebook filled with private information for more than 50 people, electronic devices, and over $15,000 in suspected stolen money. The findings demonstrated the scope of her operation and the deliberate nature of her crimes.
State Attorney Alexcia Cox highlighted the seriousness of the offenses, noting the extensive harm inflicted on victims by Sayles’s coordinated scheme.
The 20-year prison sentence reflects the severity of her actions and serves as a warning against exploiting personal information for financial gain.
