SALESMAN FINED RM25,000 FOR DISHONESTLY CONCEALING LECTURER'S MONEY

KUALA LUMPUR, March 5 (Bernama) -- A salesman was fined RM25,000 by the Sessions Court here today after pleading guilty to helping to conceal RM319,000 belonging to a lecturer last year.

Judge Azrul Darus meted out the fine, in default 12 months imprisonment, on Wong Jun Wah, 30. He paid the fine.

Wong was charged with helping to conceal the money belonging to the 44-year-old woman by depositing it into his bank account.

The offence was committed at a condominium in Jalan Melati Square, Wangsa Maju, here, between April 3 and Sept 26, 2025.

The charge, under Section 424 of the Penal Code, provides imprisonment for up to five years or a fine, or both upon conviction.

Based on the facts of the case, the victim became interested in an online loan advertisement seen on Facebook and later contacted the phone number listed. The complainant initially applied for an RM50,000 loan but only received RM40,000, which was deposited into her bank account.

Subsequently, the complainant became entangled in loans from 33 individuals, involving a total of RM4.9 million. She later made payments amounting to RM6.8 million to settle the loans but was still pressured to make additional payments, prompting her to lodge a police report out of concern for her safety and that of her family.

Investigations by the Commercial Crime Investigation Division of the Wangsa Maju District Police Headquarters found a transaction involving a deposit of RM319,500 into the accused’s bank account, leading to the accused’s arrest for further action.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Izzat Amir Idham appeared for the prosecution, while Wong was represented by lawyer Evie Melynda Jee.

-- BERNAMA