RANAU: Two individuals were each fined RM100, in default of three days’ imprisonment, by the Ranau Magistrate’s Court in separate cases involving money allegedly obtained through deception.
The accused were Zainab binti Ulop, whose case involved a reported online loan scam, and Omar bin Rejab, who was found in possession of RM2,200 allegedly obtained through cheating.
In Zainab’s case, the charge involved RM3,300 deposited into an Agrobank account belonging to Mohd Fairuz Ariff bin Saimin Ariff on June 23, 2026.
According to the facts of the case, Mohd Fairuz was contacted via WhatsApp by a person offering personal loans after he responded to an advertisement on Facebook.
The individual, who identified himself as Mohd Safuan Mohd Firdaus, allegedly requested personal details and supporting documents, including identification and bank account information.
Mohd Fairuz was subsequently asked to make several payments, including RM3,300 into the Agrobank account linked to Zainab. After the payment was made, he was asked to pay a further RM6,250 before the loan could be released.
He later realised he had been deceived and lodged a police report.
Investigations established that Zainab was the account holder. However, she reportedly denied knowledge of the RM3,300 deposit, claiming that she had handed her ATM card and PIN to an unidentified person as part of an alleged money-lending arrangement.
She was charged under Section 22A(1) of the Minor Offences Ordinance (Sabah Cap. 80).
In the separate case involving Omar, the charge stated that RM2,200 belonging to Jainin Jusimin had been deposited into a Maybank Islamic account on Aug 26, 2026.
The money was allegedly obtained through cheating, and Omar was accused of failing to provide a satisfactory explanation for possessing the funds.
He was charged under the same provision of the ordinance.
Section 22A(1) carries a maximum penalty of a RM100 fine, imprisonment for up to three months, or both, upon conviction.
The court imposed a RM100 fine in each case, with three days’ imprisonment in default of payment.
