Woman in Kuching fined RM10,000 for acting as money mule in scam

PETALING JAYA: The Kuching magistrates’ court today fined a 25-year-old woman in Sarawak RM10,000, in default two months’ imprisonment, for acting as a money mule for an online fraud syndicate.

The Borneo Post reported that Priscilla Peter pleaded guilty to facilitating the receipt of RM13,300 into her bank account without lawful purpose at a coffee shop along Mile 3 Road, Kuching, on Jan 12 and Jan 20.

The charge was framed under Section 424C(1) of the Penal Code, which provides for a fine of up to RM150,000, up to 10 years’ imprisonment, or both.

According to the facts of the case, a 38-year-old man lodged a complaint with police of being scammed.

He said he had taken several personal loans from unknown people between January and March 2026 after seeing an advertisement on social media on Jan 2.

He received the funds in stages and communicated with four lenders via WhatsApp. However, despite having made transfers to several bank accounts provided by the lenders, he received threats that photographs of him and his family would be circulated online if he failed to make further payments.

He lodged a police report out of fear for his safety. Police traced two of the payments to Priscilla’s bank account and she was arrested.

Her bank statements showed two deposits of RM6,650 each, credited on Jan 12 and Jan 20, 2026. It is believed that she had allowed a third party to use her personal bank account to receive the money.

Deputy public prosecutor Aidil Akmal Sharidan prosecuted, while Priscilla was unrepresented.