December 4, 2025
Local
Local
BUKIT MERTAJAM, Dec 5 — Eighteen Japanese and Chinese nationals, including one woman, pleaded not guilty in the Magistrate’s Court here today to a charge of conspiring to carry out online fraud.
The individuals charged are Chen Zigui, 30; Liang Chengfu, 37; Hama Takuya, 35; Tustsui Shoichi, 42; Kono Kiyoshi, 51; Yamao Yuta, 27; Kishi Kosuke, 26; Ryo Nomita, 34; Chen Yien, 34; Ohak Koki, 35; Motokawa Yuya, 30; Takumi Nakano, 26; Matsumoto Satoshi, 44; Inanobe Yuya, 24; Lin Ping, 42; Hashimoto Takuya, 34; Minamihata Naoto, 37; and Yuina Miki, 25.
They claimed trial after the charge was read in English and Mandarin before Magistrate Roshayati Radellah.
They are accused of engaging in a criminal conspiracy to conduct online fraud at Taman Bukit Juru, Seberang Perai Tengah, on Nov 20. The charge, framed under Section 420 of the Penal Code, carries a penalty of one to 10 years’ imprisonment, caning, and a fine upon conviction.
Deputy public prosecutor Zulfadzli Hassan proposed bail of RM10,000 for each defendant with a local surety.
Their lawyer, Mahesh Ananthan, sought a lower bail, citing his clients’ low incomes, financial responsibilities to their families abroad and their cooperation with police during the investigation.
The court then set bail at RM8,000 each with one local surety, ordered their passports to be surrendered, and fixed Feb 3, 2026, for the next mention.
The 18 were arrested on Nov 20 in a police raid on two bungalows in Simpang Ampat, Batu Kawan, believed to be the base of a phone scam syndicate impersonating Japanese police. — Bernama
