KUCHING: A businessman charged with nine counts of fraud will appear in court again on Feb 1 this year.
No plea was taken from 35-year-old Zeplin Uteh Joseph from Kampung Patung when he appeared in the magistrates’ court here for first mention of the case yesterday.
Subordinate court registrar Abdul Razak Senawi presided over the case as the magistrate was doing a legal year in Tawau, Sabah.
The accused allegedly cheated two persons on several occasions.
He is accused of inducing Misco Gen, 36, from Kampung Bunuk to hand over RM11,180 for a 1Malaysia Rice Scheme between Oct 30 to Nov 18 last year.
He was supposed to supply the victim 1,180 kg of 1Malaysia rice at RM10 per 10kg within 30 days but failed to deliver.
In the other eight charges, Zeplin allegedly cheated Donald Adi Singeng, 38, from Kampung Sibatuh eight times between November and December last year involving a total RM34,405.
An offence provided for under Section 420 of the Penal Code, cheating is punishable with a maximum five years’ jail or with fine and liable to whipping upon conviction.
Yesterday the Court released Zeplin on RM2,000 cash bail in two sureties for each of the charges.
His parents posted the bail.
On Dec 28, he surrendered to Sungai Maong Police Station after a few persons in Siburan area lodged a police report that they had been deceived to invest in a scheme which promised a 50 or 100 percent profit within 50 days.