Two bank employees have pleaded not guilty to deceiving a woman of RM300,000 in a fraudulent bank investment scheme.
The 31- and 41-year-old accused appeared before Magistrate Shafiza Abdul Razak Tready, who released them on RM10,000 bail each with two sureties and fixed January 26 next year for pre-trial case management.
The pair were charged with committing the offence at a local bank branch on August 19 this year. Under Section 420 of the Penal Code, read together with Section 34, the charge carries a maximum of 10 years’ imprisonment, caning, and/or a fine upon conviction.
The magistrate also ordered the accused to surrender their passports and report weekly to the nearest police station.
Deputy public prosecutor Mohd Fadzri Azham Zainudin had initially requested RM500,000 bail for each accused, citing a risk of flight and noting that further charges could be filed under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLA). He also emphasized the case’s public interest.
Counsel for the 31-year-old, Datuk Shankar Ram Asnani, argued that such a high bail would unfairly prejudice his client. Meanwhile, Khairil Azmi Mohd Hasbie, representing the 41-year-old accused, said his client had no reason to abscond, noting he resides in Kuching, is married, and has no prior convictions.
Earlier this week, the 31-year-old was charged with a similar offence involving RM16,000 in the Kuching Magistrates’ Court, where she also pleaded not guilty.
So far, four bank personnel—two women and two men—have been charged in connection with the non-existent investment scheme.
