KUANTAN: A former legal firm ‘runner’ was fined RM7,000 by the Sessions Court here for impersonating a lawyer and cheating a senior citizen out of RM3,000 five years ago.
Muhammad Sharizuan Mohd Shariff, 29, pleaded guilty after the charge was read to him before judge Sazlina Safie.
The father-of-one is alleged to have deceived a 68-year-old man into believing that he was a lawyer who could help resolve a drug case involving the man’s daughter-in-law by disposing of the evidence related to the case.
His actions prompted the man to hand over RM3,000 in cash.
The offence was allegedly committed in Brinchang, Cameron Highlands, around 8pm on July 6, 2020.
The charge under Section 415 of the Penal Code and punishable under Section 417 of the same code, carries an imprisonment of up to five years or a fine or both upon conviction.
According to the facts of the case, Sharizuan, who was then working as a freelance runner at a legal firm, had gone to the victim’s house and introduced himself as a lawyer.
Sharizuan assured the victim that he could assist in solving the drug case involving his daughter-in-law for a certain payment. However, a month later, the suspect (daughter-in-law) was charged in court.
Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission prosecuting officer Mohd Afiq Mohd Adnan appeared for the prosecution while Sharizuan was represented by Mohammed Badrulzzaman Abu Bakar.
Badrulzzaman pleaded for a light penalty, saying his client is a widower and is currently unemployed.
“He has a son and is currently supported by his father. My client’s guilty plea has saved judicial time and I request a minimum fine,” he said,
Afiq pressed for a deterrent sentence that would serve as a lesson to the accused, taking into consideration the losses suffered by the victim.
Sazlina ordered Sharizuan to pay a fine of RM7,000 , failing which he would serve three months in jail.
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