FOURTEEN Japanese and four Chinese nationals appeared in the Bukit Mertajam Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, pleading not guilty to charges of conspiring to commit online fraud last month.
The accused include 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; and Motokawa Yuya, 30. Seven others, including Takumi Nakano, 26; Matsumoto Satoshi, 44; Inanobe Yuya, 24; Lin Ping, 42; Hashimoto Takuya, 34; Minamihata Naoto, 37; and Yuina Miki, 25, also faced the same charges.
The charges were read out in English and Mandarin before Magistrate Roshayati Radellah, with all defendants entering pleas of not guilty.
According to the prosecution, the defendants were alleged to have engaged in a criminal conspiracy to commit online fraud, an offence under Section 420 of the Penal Code. The activity reportedly took place at a residence in Taman Bukit Juru, Bukit Tengah, between 12:00 and 12:10 pm on 20 November.
The charges were framed under Section 120 of the Penal Code, read together with Section 34, which carries a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison, whipping, and a fine upon conviction.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Zulfadzli Hassan requested that the court set bail at RM10,000 for each accused and ordered that their passports be surrendered to the court until the conclusion of the trial.
The case underscores increasing concerns over cross-border online fraud networks and highlights Malaysian authorities’ ongoing efforts to tackle digital financial crimes involving foreign nationals. - December 5, 2025
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