Tokyo: A Malaysian detained at the Toyamanishi Police Station in Japan for allegedly being involved in an online fraud syndicate was charged in a Japanese court last month and pleaded guilty to two charges.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Malaysian International Humanitarian Organisation (MHO) secretary-general Datuk Hishamuddin Hashim stated that the charges against Muhammad Faiq Zafran Mohd Jailani, 23, were brought under Articles 246 and 60 of the Japanese Penal Code. Article 246 pertains to fraud, involving deceiving another into handing over property or financial benefits, while Article 60 concerns offences committed jointly.
Hishamuddin explained that based on these provisions, the maximum sentence could be up to 10 years' imprisonment. Sentencing has not yet been imposed, with a decision expected in March. Present at the press conference with him were the victim's mother, Noor Zuhaini Ismail, and his father, Mohd Jailani Ambak. An additional charge is anticipated to be filed against the youth on March 12.
The organisation initially believed Muhammad Faiq was still under investigation but was informed by legal aid lawyers in Japan that two charges had already been filed, and guilty pleas recorded. Hishamuddin emphasized the importance of timely consular notification, which would have allowed the family to appoint a private lawyer before any guilty plea was recorded.
During a meeting with Malaysia's Deputy Chief of Mission in Japan, Zainal Azlan Mohd Nadzir, on Feb 4, it was confirmed that the embassy had not been informed of the arrest and only learned of it through media reports and Wisma Putra. Hishamuddin is seeking the Malaysian government's intervention, specifically Wisma Putra, to obtain a detailed explanation of the legal process faced by Muhammad Faiq Zafran. The intent is not to challenge Japan's legal system, but to ensure consular rights and access to proper legal defence.
Noor Zuhaini lodged a police report on Nov 30 last year after failing to contact her son since Nov 19, leading to the case being referred to Wisma Putra on Dec 8. Efforts to trace Muhammad Faiq revealed his detention at the Toyamanishi Police Station in connection with an online fraud syndicate.