Kota Kinabalu: A former investment company director was charged in the Magistrate’s Court, Thursday, with 10 counts of cheating 10 people over a forex investment amounting to RM457,735.50.
Azlin Awang Chee, 42, who was facing the first eight charges before Magistrate Stephanie Sherron Abbie and another two charges before Magistrate Lovely Natasha Charles, pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
Azlin allegedly cheated each of the 10 people by tricking them into believing that he will get them a good return on foreign exchange investment (Prixo Markets) and induced them to hand over money to him between April 20, 2020 and April 21, 2021 at various places here.
Each charge under Section 420 of the Penal Code carries a jail term of between one year and 10 years and with whipping and liability to a fine, on conviction.
On the first count, Azlin was accused of cheating Tay Sui Jhung of RM192,672.50 between Oct 27, 2020 and Aug 5, 2021 in a unit at Asoka Condominium, Luyang, while on the second count, Azlin allegedly cheated Elsie Anna Wilfred of RM9,000 between May 8, 2021 and May 12, the same year at Alam Damai condominium.
Azlin, on the third count, was alleged to have cheated Tiong Hau Chong of RM2,700 between 1.36pm and 6.07pm on Dec 30, 2020 at a restaurant in Lintas Square while on the fourth count, Azlin was accused of cheating Alexander Ngoh of RM56,250 between April 14, 2021 and April 19, the same year at the City Mall here.
On the fifth count, Azlin allegedly cheated Oliver Thien of RM36,000 between Nov 8, 2020 and May 20, 2021 at Alam Damai condominium while on the sixth count, Azlin was alleged to have cheated Chung Teing Hau of RM45,000 at Mesra Apartment here between 9.07am and 9.10am on Feb 5, 2021.
Azlin on the seventh count was accused of cheating Liu Ping Shi of RM18,000 on 7.53pm on April 21, 2021 at a coffee shop in Foh Sang while on the eighth count, Azlin allegedly cheated Mathew Wong of RM20,000 between 3.21pm and 3.31pm on April 20, 2020.
On the ninth count, Azlin was alleged to have cheated Robin Nicholas Yong of a RM39,113 between Sept 30, 2020 and Nov 11, the same year at Taman Antarabangsa here while on the tenth count, Azlin was accused of cheating Monica Yong of RM39,000, also between Sept 30, 2020 and Nov 11, the same year at the same place.
Prosecuting officers Inspector Suzie @ Stephanie Kupit and Kelvan Elson Maik respectively applied for bail at RM6,000 and RM4,000 on each charge in two sureties each.
The prosecution also applied for case management dates.
Counsel PJ Perira, who was representing Azlin, applied for a lower bail amount on the grounds, among others, that Azlin is a local, married with three children and of no flight risk.
Perira submitted that the accused was then a director of an investment company and is unemployed since being investigated under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLA) and Section 420 of the Penal Code.
Perira suggested bail at RM1,000 on each charge.
The Magistrates released Azlin on a bail of RM2,000 in two sureties on each charge and fixed Aug 24 for case management.
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