Singer pleads guilty to cheating

A MALAY singer who sold more than 100,000 records during a recording career spanning two decades pleaded guilty on Monday to cheating two men of S$50,000 (RM113,000). 

Singer-businessman Othman Hamzah, 41, convinced them to put money into a proposed franchising scheme run by his own marketing firm, then used the cash to settle his debts and business expenses. 

District judge Victor Yeo postponed sentencing to May 5 to enable Othman’s lawyer, Ahmad Khalis Abdul Ghani, to prepare mitigation pleas.  

In both the cases, which took place in March and July 2000, Othman convinced Kamaruddin Ahmad and Rajali Tik to part with S$30,000 (RM67,800) and S$20,000 (RM45,200) respectively.  

A third charge involving another S$20,000 given by Kamaruddin in May 2000 for a promised return of S$5,000 (RM11,300) and the capital sum within three months was taken into consideration. 

Othman faces up to seven years in jail and can be fined as well. – The Straits Times/Asia News Network

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