KAMPAR: A 43-year-old former bank officer, who is currently serving a prison sentence for cheating in connection with a non-existent investment scheme, has been charged in the Magistrate’s Court here on four similar charges involving RM17,350.
The accused, M. Patmanathan, pleaded not guilty to all the charges before Magistrate A. Hafiizh Abu Bakar.
He is facing three charges of deceiving three individuals into handing over RM1,550, RM3,500, and RM7,300, respectively, as investments in a non-existent scheme. The charges were filed under Section 417 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum imprisonment of five years, a fine, or both if convicted.
Additionally, Patmanathan was charged with cheating a man by dishonestly inducing the victim into handing over RM5,000 to obtain profit in the same non-existent investment scheme under Section 420 of the Penal Code. If found guilty, he could face imprisonment for up to 10 years, whipping, and a fine.
All the offences were allegedly committed at Maybank Kampar between March 25, 2019, and January 2023.
The court set bail of RM8,500 with one surety for all the charges and the case is scheduled for mention on January 5.
Deputy Public Prosecutor M. Esther Jacyntha prosecuted the case, while the accused was represented by lawyer Manal Hayati Mohd Arif.
Prior to these charges, Patmanathan was previously charged on July 12 with two counts of cheating in connection with non-existent investment schemes involving losses of more than RM110,000. – Bernama
