EIGHT Chinese nationals appeared before the Temerloh Magistrate’s Court today, facing charges related to a non-existent investment scam dating back to October.
The defendants, aged between 23 and 39, were identified as Tan Zhenkun, 29; Zhang Dongdong, 33; Xu Leilei, 39; Tian Fuchao, 27; Chu Yuzhang, 28; Wang Chong, 37; Shi Guoting, 23; and Bai Yanyun, 30.
The charges were read to them in Mandarin, and all defendants nodded in acknowledgement.
The suspects were arrested during a police raid at GS Bera Hotel, Taman Anggerik Indah, Triang, on 27 November at 2.15 pm. They are charged under Section 120B(2) of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum penalty of six months’ imprisonment, a fine, or both.
In addition, the defendants face a second charge for overstaying in Malaysia beyond the validity of their special passes, under Section 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63. Conviction under this section may result in a minimum fine of RM10,000, imprisonment of up to five years, or both.
During proceedings before Magistrate Tan Chiew King, the defendants, represented by lawyer Carenjit Kaur Mann, requested to bring forward the next hearing date to 5 January 2026, from the originally scheduled 20 January, which the court approved. Deputy Public Prosecutor Siti Sarah Aqilah Lokman confirmed that no bail appeal had been filed by the defence.
The court granted bail of RM5,000 per defendant with one local surety for the investment fraud charges, while bail for the immigration offences was set according to statutory provisions.
The case has been scheduled for mention on 5 January 2026.
Bera District Police Chief, Superintendent Zulkiflee Nazir, said the raid was conducted jointly by the Commercial Crime Investigation Department (JSJK) Bukit Aman and IPD Bera. Six men and two women, aged 28 to 39, were detained on suspicion of operating a call centre linked to the scam.
“The operation uncovered a centre believed to have been active since October, allegedly used to defraud victims in China through a fake investment scheme,” Zulkiflee said. Police seized two laptops and 19 mobile phones believed to have been used in the fraudulent activity.
He added that the syndicate reportedly used the Telegram app to obtain information on potential victims before impersonating financial officers, investment advisors, or representatives of institutions. - December 3, 2025
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