TAWAU: A father of four, Yunsa Eso Mhd Yunus
(pic), 33, was fined RM20,000 or jailed 18 months by the Magistrate’s Court here on Friday for possessing a Maybank ATM card belonging to another person that was rented out for online fraud activities.
This is the first case of its kind in Tawau.
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Yunsa pleaded guilty before Magistrate Dayang Aidaku Amira Aminuddin to possessing without lawful authority an ATM card belonging to Shahmunirddy Sagaan, 40, at Kg Barisan at 5pm on Jan 30.
He was charged under Section 424A of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum fine of RM50,000, imprisonment of up to five years, or both.
Police arrested Yunsa at his home during a special operation after identifying individuals suspected of using bank ATM cards for fraud. Checks revealed the card was not registered under his name.
In mitigation, Yunsa, who was unrepresented, asked for a lighter sentence, citing his four children, a pregnant wife, and his low income of RM1,400 per month.
He said he acted as a middleman for a small commission and was unaware of any link to scammers.
However, Tawau District Police Headquarters Prosecuting Officer ASP Jeffrey Kadison said the offence was serious, causing losses to the community and undermining public confidence in the banking system.
He stressed that a heavy sentence was necessary to serve as a lesson and deter others. The court imposed the fine or jail term accordingly.
