Forty-eight Chinese nationals and a Malaysian face criminal conspiracy charges for an online investment scam targeting South Koreans.
LABUAN: Forty-eight Chinese nationals and one Malaysian were charged with criminal conspiracy involving an online investment scam syndicate targeting South Korean nationals in the Magistrates’ Court here today.
The charge was initially framed under Section 120B(2) of the Penal Code, punishable only with a maximum jail term of six months or with a fine or with both, but was amended to Section 120B(1), which is punishable with death, imprisonment for a term of two years or in the same manner as if they had abetted such offence.
All the 49 accused pleaded not guilty after the amended charge was read before Magistrate Dr Melissa Chia.
They were alleged to have been involved in a criminal conspiracy linked to an online investment scam targeting South Korean nationals through the KnowChat and Telegram applications, and were arrested during a police raid at a premises along Jalan Dewan in the city centre at 8.40 am on June 1.
Police also seized several items during the operation, including cash and equipment believed to have been used in the syndicate’s activities.
The court set Aug 13 for mention and Nov 23 to 27 for trial.
Deputy public prosecutor Mohd Yousuf Tahir Mahmood appeared for the prosecution.
