Man fined RM10,000 for allowing bank account usage in scam

KUCHING: A 30-year-old man was fined RM10,000, in default three months imprisonment, by the Magistrates’ Court here today for allowing his bank account to be used to receive RM38,000 in proceeds linked to an online scam.

Magistrate Ling Hui Chuan imposed the fine on Yeap Quah Chia Yong after he pleaded guilty to the charge under Section 424C(1) of the Penal Code.

Section 424C(1) of the Penal Code provides for imprisonment of up to 14 years, whipping and a fine upon conviction.

The charge stated that Yeap, on February 3, 2025, at the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) of a bank near MJC Batu Kawa, indirectly engaged in a transaction involving RM38,000 through his RHB Bank account without lawful purpose.

The money originated from a 54-year-old complainant and was transferred into the account belonging to a tech company

According to the facts of the case, the complainant was contacted by a woman who introduced herself as ‘Julie’ on December 27, 2024.

The woman allegedly offered the complainant a business opportunity through the website application, claiming that he could earn profits by purchasing and selling goods online.

Believing the offer, the complainant subsequently made several money transfers and cash deposits into bank accounts provided by the woman between January 2 and February 3, 2025.

He was later found to have suffered actual losses of RM292,000.

Bank statement checks showed that on February 3, 2025, the complainant made three transfers totalling RM38,000 into a bank account belonging to the tech company.

Investigations found that the account was controlled by Yeap, who admitted in his statement that he was the account holder.

Yeap also admitted that he had provided his bank account details to a man known as ‘Sam’ through Facebook Messenger for purported business purposes.

By allowing a third party to use his account, Yeap had enabled funds obtained from the scam victim to be credited into the account.

The RM38,000 received was found to be part of the money obtained from the victim through the scam.

Deputy Public Prosecutor, Nurul Aqila Morsalin appeared for the prosecution while the accused were unrepresented.