RANAU: The Commercial Crime Investigation Division (BSJK) of the Ranau District Police Headquarters (IPD) brought three individuals before the Ranau Magistrate’s Court to face charges related to fraud and the misuse of bank accounts involving several victims in the district.
Ranau District Police Chief, Supt Mursalin Mahmud said the charges were the result of thorough investigations conducted by BSJK officers following reports lodged by victims who suffered financial losses due to fraudulent schemes operating in the district.
According to him, two male accused persons were charged under Section 403 of the Penal Code for deceiving victims by offering non-existent housing construction projects under the Program Perumahan Rakyat Termiskin (PPRT) and the Sabah Land Development Board (SLDB).
“The offences occurred in various parts of Ranau between 2025 and early 2026. The suspects’ modus operandi was to convince victims that they could secure government housing projects or provide catering services before requesting upfront payments,” Mursalin said in a statement.
In a separate case, a female accused was charged under Section 22A(1) of the Sabah Minor Offences Ordinance for allowing her personal bank account to be used by another party, which was subsequently utilised in fraudulent activities that caused losses to victims.
Mursalin stressed that the public should never hand over, rent out or permit the use of their personal bank accounts by third parties, as doing so could expose them to serious legal consequences.
He noted that several account holders had previously been charged in the Sessions Court under Sections 424B and 424C(1) of the Penal Code for involvement in so-called “mule account” activities.
“Many people mistakenly believe that lending or renting out their bank accounts is harmless. In reality, such accounts are frequently used by criminal syndicates to receive and transfer funds obtained through scams and other illegal activities,” he said.
Under the law, individuals convicted of offences involving mule accounts may face fines ranging from RM10,000 to RM100,000, imprisonment, or both.
