IPOH: A married couple has been charged in the Sessions Court here with 75 counts of unlicensed deposit-taking, promoting an unregistered investment scheme and money laundering involving more than RM52.89mil between 2016 and 2024.
Mohammad Riza Ahmad Hambadley, 57, who is unemployed, and his wife, Wan Ziraiza Wan Ismail, 55, a lecturer at an educational institution in Perak, pleaded not guilty to all charges. The charges were read separately before Judges Ainul Shahrin Mohamad and Jean Sharmila Jesudason.
The case is jointly prosecuted by officers from the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM), Bank Negara and the Attorney General's Chambers money laundering crimes and forfeiture of proceeds of crimes unit.
Under Bank Negara's charges, the couple faces four counts of receiving deposits from the public without a valid licence under Section 10 of the Financial Services Act 2013. The offences were allegedly committed through a goat breeding investment scheme, Program Induk Kambing Baka Shami, run by Pertubuhan Amal Kita Kinta Perak (PAKKP) in Batu Gajah.
The offences allegedly occurred at No. 11A, Lorong Dewangsa 2, Batu Gajah, between Nov 30, 2016 and July 15, 2023. If convicted, they face up to 10 years' imprisonment, a fine of up to RM50mil, or both, under Section 137(2) of the same Act.
Under SSM's charges, Mohammad Riza faces five counts under the Interest Schemes Act 2016 for promoting the same unregistered scheme, while Wan Ziraiza faces five counts of abetting him. The alleged offences took place between March 3, 2017 and Jan 7, 2021.
These charges, under Section 3(2)(b) and punishable under Section 3(3) of the Act, carry a maximum penalty of 10 years' imprisonment, a fine of up to RM50mil, or both.
The couple also faces 61 counts of money laundering involving RM52.89mil, allegedly using proceeds from the scheme to purchase properties and vehicles in Perak between 2016 and 2024.
These charges fall under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, which provides for a maximum sentence of 15 years' imprisonment and a fine of either RM5mil or five times the amount involved, whichever is higher.
Earlier, defence counsel requested bail of RM150,000 for Mohammad Riza and RM100,000 for Wan Ziraiza, with no objection from the prosecution.
The court granted bail of RM100,000 each, with one surety and fixed Nov 4 for case mention and submission of documents. – Bernama
