MIRI: A 33-year-old man has been jailed for three years after pleading guilty to using his bank account for an unlawful payment transaction.
The Miri Magistrates’ Court convicted the local man under Section 424C(1) of the Penal Code, a provision introduced under the Penal Code (Amendment) Act 2024 to target individuals who allow their bank accounts or payment instruments to be used for illicit financial transactions.
The case arose from an online scam on August 1, 2025 after the victim responded to a Facebook advertisement offering catering services. After clicking a link and granting a series of permissions, the victim later discovered that RM2,000 had been withdrawn from a CIMB Bank account without authorisation.
Police investigations traced the stolen funds to the accused’s bank account, where the RM2,000 was deposited on the same day.
The prosecution was brought under legislation introduced to strengthen enforcement against online financial fraud by targeting account holders who facilitate the movement of illicit funds, whether knowingly or without a legitimate purpose.
Miri District Police chief ACP Mohd Farhan Lee Abduah urged the public to remain vigilant when using social media, warning that fraudulent advertisements and malicious links continue to be exploited by cybercriminals to gain access to victims’ bank accounts.
He advised the public not to click on suspicious links or approve unknown requests on their mobile devices, and to verify the authenticity of online advertisements before providing any personal or banking information.
Anyone with information on online scams is urged to contact the Miri District Police Headquarters or the nearest police station.
