JOHOR BAHRU, Sept 30 — Fifteen members of a job scam syndicate targeting US citizens were fined between RM3,500 and RM4,200 each by the Magistrate’s Court here today after pleading guilty to conspiring to commit fraud through non-existent job offers.

Before Magistrate Nurzihan Abdul Rehman, nine local men were fined RM3,500 each after pleading guilty when the charges were read out to them collectively.

They were Liew Ming Hui, 23; Chong Yong Xuan, 25; Gan Kai Lin, 20; Gan Wei Xiang, 23; Myles Tan Yi, 21; Eldrick Tan Chin Lim, 24; Tan Hong Wei, 23; Dennis Chong Wen Wei, 28; and Chuah Kian Wei, 21.

The nine, who are employed full-time, subsequently paid the fines.

In a separate proceeding before Magistrate Atifah Hazimah Wahab, a local man and five Chinese nationals were fined RM4,200 each after pleading guilty.

They were Yau Chin Lin, 33; Dong Ningning, 34; Chen Haihui, 40; Wang Mengnan, 34; Li Xing, 28; and Sun Qixin, 30.

Each was also ordered to serve six months in prison in default of payment, but all six paid the fines.

According to the charge sheets, the accused conspired to commit fraud involving non-existent job offers mainly targeting US citizens.

The offences were committed at two apartment units in East Ledang, Nusajaya, Iskandar Puteri, at 2.40pm and 5.30pm on September 25.

The charges were framed under Section 120B(2) of the Penal Code, read together with Section 417 of the same Code, which provides for up to six months’ imprisonment, a fine, or both, upon conviction.

Deputy Public Prosecutors Nor Deana Aqilah Aliman and Sarah Siti Aisyah Mustapha Kamal prosecuted, while the accused were represented by counsel Gan Chee Cheng and Chuah Shyue Chien.