IPOH: Nine people, including a teenager, have been jointly charged at a Magistrate's Court here with taking part in a criminal conspiracy that involved cheating people through an investment scam.
All nine claimed trial after the charge under Section 120B(1) of the Penal Code was read to them before Magistrate S. Punitha on Friday (Feb 2).
The accused included R. Tharumaraj Pillai, 34; RC Vassanthakumar, 24; J. Subash Kavnder, 25; MRK Muhammad Hafizuddin, 24; Hema Tharshini, 26; C. Kasturi, 20; S. Dhaarshini, 24; B. Eswari, 47; and a 15-year-old girl.
They were said to have been part of a criminal conspiracy with common intent to commit an offence under Section 420 of the same Code, through an investment scam known as Bristol Myers Squibb/BMS Providers Resources, at a house in Meru Valley Resort on Jan 17.
If convicted, the accused can be jailed up to 10 years with whipping and also liable to a fine.
DPP Vatchira Wong Rui Fern requested bail for the eight adults to be set at RM8,000 and RM5,000 for the teenager.
In asking for lower bail, lawyer Kirthiraj Rajasundram, who represented all nine, said some of his clients were unemployed while some were not receiving high salaries.
"All the accused are Malaysians. Bail is only to ensure their attendance in court and not meant as a punishment," he said.
Punitha set bail at RM3,500 with one surety for the adults and RM2,000 for the teenager.
"The girl's bail must be paid by either the parents or a guardian," she said, adding that case mention would be on April 4.
When met outside the courtroom, Kirthiraj said most of the accused would not be posting bail as they were unable to do so.
