KAMPAR: A 43-year-old bank officer pleaded not guilty to two charges of cheating involving non-existent investment schemes that led to losses of more than RM110,000.
M. Pathmananthan claimed trial after the charges were read in Tamil before magistrate A. Hafiizh Abu Bakar at the Kampar Magistrate’s Court here yesterday.
He was charged under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating, which provides a jail term of between one and 10 years, whipping and a fine upon conviction.
For the first charge, Pathmananthan is said to have deceived S. Kogeelan, 32, into transferring RM30,000 to his account for an investment scheme at a bank here on March 28.
In the second charge, he is said to have cheated M. Jessica Mary, 52, causing her to transfer RM80,600 from her account to his at a bank here between Oct 25, 2021 and Sept 22, 2022.
Deputy public prosecutor M. Esther Jacyntha requested that bail be set at RM15,000 and RM40,000 for the respective cases.
Lawyer Baldip Singh, who represented Pathmananthan, requested that a lower bail be set for his client.
“My client is working and living in Kampar. Bail is to ensure his attendance in court.
“Considering where he stays and that the alleged offence was committed in Kampar, I hope the court will consider setting RM5,000 bail for the first case and RM10,000 for the second one,” he said, adding that his client is married with three children.
A. Hafiizh set the bail at RM8,000 and RM15,000 with one surety for the respective cases.
The magistrate fixed July 26 for mention.
