ALOR SETAR: A housewife pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court here to eight counts of cheating involving orders for non-existent jewellery worth RM173,500 two years ago.
Siti Hajartul Haini Abd Hamid, 39, entered her plea after all eight charges were read out before judge Sharmila Abdul Samad yesterday.
She is accused of defrauding a 55-year-old woman by deceiving the victim into depositing money into her bank account for non-existent jewellery in Kampung Mani, Mukim Belimbing Kanan, Padang Terap, between June 2 and Aug 16, 2024.
The victim was allegedly tricked into depositing RM173,500 into the accused’s bank account through several transactions, funds she would not have handed over had she not been deceived, Bernama reported.
The charges were framed under Section 420 of the Penal Code, which provides for imprisonment of up to 10 years, whipping and a fine upon conviction.
Deputy public prosecutor Muhammad Fahmi Kamaluddin appeared for the prosecution, while the accused was represented by lawyer Ku Nur Farahi Eliana Ku Abd Razak from the National Legal Aid Foundation.
The judge allowed bail at RM80,000 for all charges with one surety, and ordered the accused not to harass the victim or prosecution witnesses, as well as to surrender her passport to the court.
