JASIN: An Indonesian trader was sentenced to 15 months in jail and ordered to be given one stroke of the cane by a Magistrate’s Court here for deceiving an elderly man into buying an “enchanted” glowing gemstone that supposedly cured illnesses.
Magistrate Mohd Firdaus Saleh imposed the sentence on Rino Pito, 47, after he pleaded guilty on Wednesday (July 12).
Based on the facts of the case, the accused had convinced one Talib Dahlan @ Jaslan, 76, by luring him to hand over cash totalling RM54,500.
The payment was meant for the sale of the gemstone where the victim was influenced to believe that it could cure illnesses. The offence was committed at Jasin Town on Oct 5 last year.
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The charge was framed under Section 420 of the Penal Code which carries a maximum jail term of 10 years and whipping upon conviction.
Deputy public prosecutor Hanis Aliah Ahamd Kamarulnajuib prosecuted while Rino was unrepresented.
On Oct 13, The Star reported that the elderly Felda settler from Nyalas had lost his savings after allegedly being scammed by two people who offered to sell him the gemstone.
The then Jasin OCPD Deputy Supt Mispani Hamdan said the victim lodged a police report after discovering its purported "magical" properties were non-existent.
One of the suspects noticed that the victim's wife used a walking stick, and offered the gemstone which he claimed had the power to cure all ailments.
DSP Mispani said the suspect then placed it in a plastic bag filled with water to convince the victim that it would light up when submerged.
The suspect then followed the victim in his car to a bank in Tangkak, Johor, where he withdrew the amount.
