Kota Kinabalu: Six Chinese nationals were fined a total of RM45,000 by the Magistrates’ Court here after pleading guilty to criminal conspiracy to offer fictitious online investments.
The four men, Wang Lu, 38, Jiang Xia Bo, 32, Luo Lie, 32, and Liu Junjie, 33, and two women, Liu Qian, 21, and Bai Yifan, 32, each pleaded guilty to the charge.
Magistrate Marilyn Kelvin fined each accused RM7,500, in default of payment, six months’ imprisonment.
The offence is punishable under Section 120B(1) of the Penal Code, which provides for imprisonment of between one and 10 years, whipping and a fine upon conviction.
The court heard that the six were detained during a special operation targeting an online investment scam at Jesselton Twin Towers.
Investigations revealed that the group had conspired to offer fictitious investments online, targeting victims overseas.
Counsel Lim Ming Zhoong represented Wang Lu, Jiang Xia Bo, Luo Lie and Liu Junjie, while counsel Nathaniel Wong represented Liu Qian and Bai Yifan.
Both counsels sought leniency, submitting that all six accused had been in remand for 62 days.
However, Deputy Public Prosecutor Ronnie Anthony argued that the seriousness of the offence warranted a custodial sentence, saying the group’s activities had tarnished Malaysia’s image and were against the public interest.
He also urged the court to impose an appropriate fine and refer the accused to the Immigration Department for further action.
The court ordered all six to be referred to the Immigration Department for further action concerning their immigration status.
