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TAWAU: A 30-year-old businesswoman was charged with three counts of receiving deposits without a valid licence involving a gold investment scheme worth more than RM5 million.

Norhafiza Abbas, who is seven months pregnant, pleaded not guilty before Sessions Court Judge Rosli Ahmad, to all the charges against her.

On the first count, Norhafiza is accused of accepting deposit from the public between May 30 and July 20, 2023 at Lot No.B5, Tingkat 1, Pusat Komersil Gaya, Jalan Guru, here.

On the second count, she allegedly received deposits through Maybank account under Abbas Family Enterprise in Jalan Mahkamah, Kompleks Fajar, between May 21 and June 17, 2023.

On the third count, she is accused of receiving deposits through Public Bank accounts belonging to Zerina Collection and Zerina Collection Sdn Bhd’s Kompleks Fajar, between May 23 and July 14, 2023.

The offences under Section 137 (1) of the Financial Services Act 2013 and punishable under Section137 (2) of the same Act whch provides for a jail term of up to 10 years or a fine of up to RM50 million, or both, on conviction.

Norhafizah was released on bail of RM10,000 for each count with two local sureties.

The court set Aug 20 for mention.

The court also ordered Norhafizah to report to the investigating officer once a month, to surrender her international passport, if any, to the court, not to tamper with the prosecution’s witnesses and to present in court everytime her case is up for mention in court.

Earlier, Norhafizah, who was not represented, asked for bail her as she is pregnant and she also needed to look after her three children.

“I just want the best for my children,” she said.

She claimed that she could not pay hugh amount of bail because she and her husband are not working and her bank account is still being frozen due to the case.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohd Syahnidzam suggested RM10,000 in two local sureties for each charge with several conditions to be imposed on Norhafizah.