KUALA LUMPUR: Police have recorded 88 cases related to criminal breach of trust by lawyers from 2021 to 2023 with a staggering loss of RM88,354,725.39.
Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf said as of Jan 24, 2024, an additional eight cases have been recorded, amounting to a loss of RM7,485,276.59.
He urged the Malaysian Bar Council to actively participate in examining and enhancing procedures and penalties to address misconduct within the legal fraternity.
"Although the percentage of cases stands at a seemingly low 0.4 per cent compared with the total number of 21,570 registered lawyers with the Malaysian Bar Council in 2023, the average recorded loss per case is alarming, reaching RM998,333.35.
"We propose a comprehensive review of client account management procedures within law firms.
"One suggestion includes the participation of clients in any transactional dealings involving these accounts.
"Such measures, if implemented, could serve as an effective deterrent against criminal breach of trust cases and potentially thwart money laundering activities," he said at a press conference at Menara KPJ, here.
Ramli revealed that on Jan 19, police received a report against a lawyer for alleged criminal breach of trust resulting in a loss of RM333,323.
He said the report was lodged by a 60-year-old business owner, who alleged that the lawyer was entrusted with managing the sale of a property in Negri Sembilan.
"Upon investigation, the suspect (lawyer) and a real estate agent purportedly facilitated the sale of the complainant's house around Aug, 2023.
"However, the proceeds from the sale never reached the complainant.
"The complainant visited the law firm involved and was informed that the funds had been diverted for other purposes by the firm's owner."
He said the complainant was handed a cheque for RM333,323 on the same day, only to face another setback as the payment was halted with a "stop payment" order issued by the law firm's owner for reasons unknown.
"Checks with the Land Office revealed that the house owned by the complainant was transferred to a new owner.
"An investigation is being conducted under Section 409 of the Penal Code," he said.