SIBU: An Indian national pleaded not guilty at the Magistrate’s Court here to a charge of deceiving eight of his compatriots to pay a total of RM69,868 to him in a job scam.
The victims were duped into paying the accused who cheated them by claiming that he could help them find work in a shipyard here.
Sarawak Commercial Crime Investigation Department chief, Supt Mustafa Kamal Gani Abdullah, said on Wednesday (Feb 20) that the accused, Avishekkumar Mishra, 23, of Bihar, India was charged with eight counts of fraud under Section 420 of the Penal Code.
The charge was read by prosecuting officer, Insp Awang Iswandi Awang Mahmuddin, before Magistrate Muhammad Faizal Che Saad at a hearing on Feb 19.
No bail was granted to the accused so he is now remanded in custody until further mention of the case on March 11.
The offence is punishable with imprisonment of not less than one year and not more than 10 years plus one stroke of the cane. He is also liable to a fine.
“The eight victims lodged their police reports at the central police station here on Feb 13 which led to the arrest of the accused,” said Supt Mustafa.
