SEREMBAN: A contractor has claimed trial at the Sessions Court here to a charge of cheating a teacher of RM310,500.
Muhamad Syafiq Harun, 29, who runs an artificial grass business, pleaded not guilty after the charge was read to him before judge Norshila Kamaruddin here.
The accused is said to have cheated the 43-year-old victim into believing that he could get her a grant from SME Corp when no such facility existed.
The victim, who was seeking a business grant, then remitted the cash into two bank accounts via 14 transactions.
Muhamad Syafiq allegedly committed the offence at a business premises in bandar Primas Senawang on Jan 19, 2022.
He was charged under Section 420 of the Penal Code which carries a jail term of between one and 10 years, a fine and whipping.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Muhammad Zulfikri Mohd Nasir proposed bail of RM30,000 but the accused, who was unrepresented, asked that it be reduced to RM3,000.
Judge Norshila then set bail at RM20,000 with one surety and ordered the accused to surrender his passport to the court.
He was also told to report at the nearest police station every month until the case is disposed of.
She then fixed Sept 11 for mention and to allow the accused to appoint counsel.
