Man claims trial to cheating former businessman over foreign worker approvals

SEREMBAN: A 56-year-old man claimed trial at the Sessions Court here to a charge of cheating a former businessman of almost RM186,000.

A. Gunasegaran, who now works as a supervisor, pleaded not guilty after the charge was read to him before judge Norshila Kamaruddin on Tuesday (April 18).

The accused allegedly cheated the victim, now 71, into believing that he could obtain approvals from the Home Ministry to bring in foreign workers.

The victim then transferred the money into three bank accounts belonging to the accused.

However, the accused failed to fulfil his promise despite having received the cash.

Gunasegaran was charged with committing the offence between January 2018 and Aug 5 last year in Lukut, Port Dickson.

The accused was charged under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating which provides a jail term of between one and 10 years and whipping and a fine upon conviction.

Deputy public prosecutor Muhammad Zulfikri Mohd Nasir then asked the court to set bail at RM100,000 as the losses allegedly suffered by the victim were high.

He also asked the court to order the accused to surrender his passport and report at the nearest police station once a month.

Counsel for the accused V. Segaran said Gunasegaran had not been working for the last eight months as he had to undergo knee surgery and was only recently employed as a supervisor with a monthly salary of RM4,000.

He added that the accused was the sole breadwinner for his wife and three children, two of whom were still in school.

Segaran also asked the court to allow his client to keep his passport as he had to go to India once every two years for a pilgrimage.

Norshila then asked the wife of the accused, who was present in court, how much she could pay for bail and was told that they could only afford RM10,000.

However, Norshila said the amount was insufficient and set bail at RM50,000.

Norshila also asked the accused to surrender his passport to the court as he could always apply for it when he wished to go abroad.

She then fixed June 12 for next mention.