AMPANG JAYA: A lawyer has been accused of misappropriating RM1.5 million in funds belonging to two clients for property transactions.
The clients are a 70-year-old Chinese national and a 70-year-old local.
Their plight was highlighted by their lawyer Swee Ney Fong at a press conference today.
Swee said in the case of the Chinese national, the victim, a woman, sold her condominium in Segambut for RM1 million in 2022, with the help of a lawyer, a man in his 30s.
The lawyer was supposed to give the victim RM913,606 from the sale of the house.
"He gave the victims cheques which bounced each time until the client realised she had been defrauded."
Swee said in June 2023, the victim later entered into a settlement with the lawyer but he has failed to settle his arrears.
The lawyer still allegedly owes the victim RM407,408.
The victim has filed a police report and lodged a complaint with the Bar Council. She is also pursuing civil action against the lawyer.
In the case of the other victim, the woman sold her house for RM415,000 using the services of the same lawyer last year.
"According to the victim, she did not receive any payment from the proceeds of the sale from the lawyer.
"The lawyer gave a lot of excuses to delay the payment, including claiming that his bank account had been frozen. The victim also received cheques which bounced."
The victim has also lodged a police report and plans to take legal action against the lawyer.
Swee said so far, 10 police reports have been lodged against the lawyer.
"We urge anyone who has been defrauded by this lawyer to step forward and lodge a police report," said Swee.
Also at the press conference was Teratai assemblyman Yew Jia Haur.