An Indian national has been sentenced to two years and four months’ imprisonment after admitting to delivering hundreds of thousands of dollars in criminal proceeds as part of a coordinated cross-border operation.
Jahir Hussain Amanullah, 51, pleaded guilty before Magistrate Muhammad Qamarul Affyian Abdul Rahman on June 25 to an offence under Section 3(1)(a) of the Criminal Asset Recovery Order (CARO), 2012, involving the delivery of BND230,000 which he failed to take reasonable steps to ascertain were proceeds of crime.
A second similar offence involving BND219,000 was taken into consideration for sentencing under Section 13A of the Criminal Procedure Code. He was sentenced on July 2.
Investigations by the Cybercrime Investigation Division of the Criminal Investigation Department, Royal Brunei Police Force, found that the offences formed part of a coordinated cross-border scheme involving multiple individuals.
The defendant collected cash from different individuals at separate locations in Brunei before handing it to two Malaysian nationals. Investigators found that he failed to make reasonable enquiries into the source of the money, the identities of those involved or the purpose of the transactions despite circumstances that should have prompted further checks.
The investigation also established that the cash constituted proceeds of crime and was subsequently moved out of Brunei Darussalam, where it remains unrecovered.
In sentencing, the magistrate observed that although Jahir did not organise the scheme or personally benefit from the proceeds, his role as a courier was essential to facilitating the movement of illicit funds.
The court found that his complete failure to make enquiries demonstrated a serious disregard for his legal responsibilities, while the collection of cash from multiple locations before delivering it to foreign nationals pointed to a planned and coordinated operation rather than an isolated incident.
Given the substantial amount involved and the cross-border movement of criminal proceeds, the court held that the need for general deterrence carried significant weight.
The Attorney General’s Chambers and the Royal Brunei Police Force reminded the public to exercise due diligence and make reasonable enquiries when asked to handle or deliver cash or valuables on behalf of others, particularly where the source, purpose or parties involved are unclear.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Syafina Abdul Hadzid appeared for the Public Prosecutor.