BALIK PULAU: Seven men were charged at the magistrates' court here today for their involvement in a non-existent online investment scheme earlier this month.
The accused - Wong Yu Teng, 26; Choo Wee Jen, 28; Chin Chun Ze, 29; Lim Yong Aun, 30; Jeremy Thiah Lae Jin, 33; Cheong Wymun, 33; and Ong Wye Chun, 38 - claimed trial to the offence before Magistrate Chia Huey Ting.
Based on the charge, all the accused are alleged to be part of a criminal conspiracy with the intention of committing a crime, having agreed with each other to engage in illegal activities. They are accused of fraudulently deceiving the victim into investing in the non-existent Multiply Finance investment scheme through the social media applications Facebook and WhatsApp.
They are charged with committing the offence at The Covers, Lengkok Merbah 3, Taman Sri Bayan Lepas at about 10.15pm on Dec 2. The charge was framed under Section 120B(2) of the Penal Code, which carries a minimum six-month jail term or a fine, or both, upon conviction.
Deputy public prosecutor R. Lushani prosecuted, while all the accused were represented by counsel Pang Chuin Keat.
During proceedings, Lushani asked the court to set bail at RM8,000 for each of the accused. Pang, however, pleaded for lower bail since his clients did not have fixed incomes.
"They have also cooperated since their arrests," he said.
Chia set bail at RM5,000 with one surety each and fixed March 25 next year for mention, pending the submission of documents.