KUALA LUMPUR: A lawyer lost nearly RM340,000 after his law firm partner swindled the funds from a client’s account.
Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) director Comm Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf said the 49-year-old lawyer lodged a police report on Sept 7.
“Between 2012 and 2014, the suspect had signed several cheques and forged the victim’s signature to withdraw RM339,243 from a client’s account for his personal use.
“After being confronted, the suspect promised to return the funds,” he told a press conference at the CCID headquarters here yesterday.
Comm Ramli said based on trust, the victim made a personal loan and even sold his house to replace the funds used by the suspect.
“However, the suspect has still failed to pay back the victim,” he said of the recent spate of criminal breach of trust cases involving legal practitioners.
In another case, a 49-year-old female company director lost about RM1.9mil after she was allegedly duped by a law firm.
Comm Ramli said the victim lodged a police report in the city on Sept 11.
“She claimed that her company hired the Kuala Lumpur-based law firm to handle four civil claims against her in 2022.
“In 2023, the courts issued the Mareva Injunction on assets owned by the victim.
“The suspect, who owned the law firm, offered to transfer the victim’s funds to himself while the civil case was going on. The victim agreed,” he said, adding that the funds and valuables transferred to the suspects were worth RM1.9mil.
“At the end of last year, the victim decided not to use the law firm’s services anymore and asked the suspect to return all her money and valuables.
“The suspect failed to do so and gave various excuses.
“The victim suspected that he had used her funds for personal reasons,” he said of the case being investigated under Section 409 of the Penal Code for Criminal Breach of Trust.
In another case, an 81-year-old man claimed that he was duped of RM438,000 by a law firm, Comm Ramli said.
“The victim, who is a construction company director, lodged a report last Friday alleging that the law firm had swindled him over a civil case.
“He claimed that his company hired the law firm in 2009 to handle legal suit filed by his company against another company.
“In August this year, the victim contacted the law firm to inquire about the case, but the lawyer failed to produce any court document,” he said.
Comm Ramli said the victim checked and discovered that the company being sued had been ordered to file for bankruptcy in 2012.
“In fact, the Insolvency Department has made payment of RM438,397 to the suspect’s law firm over the suit filed by the victim’s company.
“The suspect has still failed to hand over the funds to the victim,” he said, adding that criminal acts committed by legal practitioners must be viewed seriously.
“They are also a point of reference for the public on legal matters.
“Individuals who seek legal services usually fully trust the lawyers to look after their interests,” he said.
Comm Ramli said the police supports the commitment shown by the Bar Council in taking a more serious stand against wrongdoing among lawyers.
“We appreciate the efforts of the Bar Council and are ready to give our full cooperation towards that end,” he said.
