KUALA LUMPUR: A lawyer who received RM 2.7 million for the sale of a plot of land in Gombak, Selangor has been arrested after he failed to transfer the land ownership to the new buyer.
Federal Commercial Crime Investigation Department director Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf said police received a report from a 40-year old businessman who allegedly bought 30 acres of land and paid for it in stages, without it being transferred to his name.
"The victim had been lured to buy the land by the lawyer and once the payment were all made, the land was still under the previous owner's name.
"This had caused the victims to become suspicious and lodged a police complaint," he said.
Ramli said upon further investigation, they found that the lawyer had not kept his part of the promise.
"The suspect, who was responsible to manage the sale and purchase of the land, has tricked the complainant into handing over payments of RM2.7 million to his law firm.
"Checks also showed that suspect has two past records related to criminal breach of trust," he said at a press conference in Menara KPJ today.
Ramli said the case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code.
Sharing a word of advice, Ramli reminded all lawyers to always protect the interests of their clients.
"As legal practitioners, lawyers should always act honestly and with integrity in whatever actions being taken.
"The failure of lawyers to act in accordance with the provisions of the law is like 'Harapkan pagar, pagar makan padi'."
