LABUAN: A 42-year-old secondary school teacher claimed trial at the Magistrate’s Court here today to two counts of cheating a woman of a total of RM77,500.00 in a land scam.
Fauziah Halim was accused of duping the woman into paying RM5,000 (initial payment) on April 11, 2016 into an account under the name of Fast Home Land in which its director is the accused herself, for 5886.88 sq ft of native customary land at Lot A-A Kg Bukit Kuda Labuan, with the total price at RM150,000.
However, the woman was shocked to find there was no record of application to sell the said land upon checking with the Labuan Land and Mines Department on May, 27, 2016 and immediately met the accused for an explanation.
She was then asked by the accused to settle another amount to expedite the land transaction, for which she handed over a cheque for RM72,500 to her the same day.
Labuan Commercial Crime Investigation Department chief ASP Haslina Hassan said the accused was arrested on April 1 at her school in Putatan, Penampang.
Magistrate Leona Dominic Mojiliu allowed bail at RM6,000 for each count with two local sureties and set April 22 for re-mention.
At the same court, Leona also fixed April 22 for the trial of a 43-year-old farmer who allegedly hoodwinked a man into paying RM21,000 in a “Burung Walit” (Birds’ Nest farm) scam.
Wong Yee Ann pleaded not guilty to the charge and was released on bail of RM4,000 with two local sureties. – Bernama
