KUCHING: The Magistrate’s Court here fined a local man RM500 in default of ten days in prison for illegally possessing RM18,180 in his account in January last year.
Wong Yeak Jun, 28, from Perak pleaded guilty before Magistrate Zubaidah Sharkawi to a charge framed under Section 37(1) of the Sarawak Minor Offences Ordinance 1958.
Upon conviction, he can be sentenced to imprisonment for up to three months and a fine of RM500.
Wong was charged for having money amounting to RM18,180 in his personal bank account in Tabuan Stutong between Jan 28 to March 17 this year.
According to the facts of the case, on Aug 12, 2022, the complainant made a loan from a licensed money lending company advertised on the Facebook.
The complainant borrowed RM800 but only RM500 was deposited into his account and made the payment on Aug 17 through an app called Platinum Fun.
After taking a loan online, the complainant often received offers through WhatsApp regarding personal loans from different people.
The complainant who was interested in the offer, borrowed RM227,007.80 and made a payment of RM312,936.72 into different accounts for the purpose of paying off the debt.
Due to not being able to pay the debt after receiving too much interest, the complainant received threats that his house will be burned down if the debt is not paid.
The complainant got worried and went to the police station for security reference and it led to Wong’s arrest.
Investigation found that Wong had received ten payment transactions amounting to RM18,180 from the complainant.
Insp Nur Shafiqa Nyaie Ilin prosecuted the case while, the accused was unrepresented by a counsel.
