KUCHING: The Magistrate’s Court here sentenced a woman from Skudai, Johor to a fine of RM6,300 for illegally possessing RM13,700 after ‘lending’ her bank account for online scam activities two years ago.
The accused Wong Xiang Yi, 24, pleaded guilty to four charges framed under Section 37(1) of the Sarawak Minor Offences Ordinance 1958, which were read before two different Magistrates.
If convicted, the accused can be sentenced to three months in jail or a fine of RM500.
According to the first to third charges, she was charged with illegally possessing a sum of RM9,200 in her account after a 39-year-old male victim deposited the money in stages around 10.35 am, 10.38 am and 4.21 pm, on Jan 21, 2021.
For the three charges, Magistrate Zubaidah Sharkawi sentenced Xiang Yi to a fine of RM2,000 or two months in jail for each charge.
As for the fourth charge, the accused was charged of illegally possessing a sum of RM4,500 in her account from the same victim at about 4.22 pm on Jan 21, 2021.
For the fourth charge, Magistrate Zaiton Anuar sentenced the accused to a fine of RM300 or five days in jail.
According to the facts of the case, the victim realised that he was cheated by a man who claimed to be his friend named Ah Yung, after making four money transactions totalling RM13,700.
Prior to the incident, the victim received a call from the man who claimed to have changed his phone number as he was robbed and requested financial assistance from the victim.
He who was in a state of panic, continued to make four transactions to the bank account in the name of Wong Xiang Yi.
After making the payment, he contacted his friend about the transaction but his friend claimed that he did not contact the victim.
The complainant realised that he was cheated and proceeded to lodge a police report, which led to the arrest of the accused.
Investigation found that the accused had ‘lent’ her bank account to a money lender for online scam activities.
Insp Merylene Lindan Andrew Mang and Insp Nur Syafiqa Nyaie Ilin prosecuted the cases while, the accused was not represented by any counsel.
It was noted that the accused had paid the fine at the court’s payment counter yesterday.
