KUALA LUMPUR: The jail term imposed on two British men charged with cheating an individual is too lenient, says Alliance For a Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye
Sessions Court judge Rozilah Salleh yesterday sentenced Andrew Mark Peters, 55, and Darren Anthony McNicholas, 51, to six months in jail for cheating an individual out of RM600,000.
She ordered their sentences to begin from the date of arrest on Feb 21, for Peters to pay a RM180,000 fine and McNicholas a RM140,000 fine, in default 22 months and 16 months in jail, respectively.
Lee said that it was reported years ago that Malaysia was becoming a global hub for internet scams with a total of 71,833 scams in Malaysia from 2020 to 2022.
"And the losses? A whopping RM5.2 billion during that period alone. From the total number of scams, there were 11,875 investment scams, similar to the offence the two British citizens were found guilty of," he said.
He stressed that the court must send a clear message to those who cheat people that they will face serious consequences.
Lee also called for constant advocacy and consumer awareness programmes to safeguard the public against similar scams.
"Lenient sentences should be reserved for those who commit crimes out of ignorance or without means.
"In the case quoted, the defence lawyer has pleaded for leniency since the accused had been cooperating well with the authorities and that they were first-time offenders.
"They had every intention to cheat and profit by their nefarious activities. For this, they must face the maximum punishment which will also be a warning to other would-be scammers," he said.