Reformative training for man whose bank account received scam proceeds

Acting on the instructions of an administrator of a Telegram group, a man opened a bank account which was later used to receive more than $952,000, including at least $18,000 in scam proceeds.

- Shaffiq Alkhatib Court Correspondent

Muhammad Zul Haziq Muhammad Hisam, 21, had also recruited an 18-year-old girl to "rent out" her bank account, telling her that she could earn $1,400 if she did that.

After the girl accepted the offer, her bank account received more than $15,000 linked to a scam case involving a 72-year-old female retiree who lost $338,640 in a ruse.

The girl received the promised $1,400. Zul, who had a bank account frozen earlier for previous scam-related offences, received a $300 commission for recruiting her.

On April 9, the Singaporean man was ordered to undergo reformative training for at least six months. He will be detained in a centre to observe a strict regimen that can include foot drills and counselling.

He had pleaded guilty to offences including dealing with the benefits of criminal conduct.

In earlier proceedings, Deputy Public Prosecutor Ryan Lim urged the court to call for a report to assess Zul's suitability for reformative training and reject any calls for a probation suitability report.

He added: "While the law presumes that rehabilitation is the dominant sentencing consideration where youth offenders are concerned, deterrence features as a key sentencing consideration in the present case."