SINGAPORE: A Nigerian man who was jailed two months ago over a scheme to swindle Citibank in New York City was charged in court on Wednesday (Jul 31) for a fresh offence of cheating.
Amos Paul Gabriel, 48, was charged via video-link for cheating a person named Milled Ed Khouri, who was at Changi Prison Complex between January and May last year with Amos.
AdvertisementAdvertisementHe is accused of deceiving the victim into delivering AUD40,000 (S$37,745) to another person by telling him the money would be used to post bail for him.
Amos is currently serving a three-year jail term meted out on May 16 for money laundering and traffic offences.
He was involved in a broader money-laundering scheme involving transfers of about US$27.2 million to accounts in the United States, Australia, Japan, China, Hong Kong and Korea.
District Judge Terence Tay asked Amos on Wednesday via video-link how he intends to plead.
AdvertisementAdvertisement"I'm not pleading any charge," Amos replied. "I think I need to talk to my lawyer. I have a lawyer but I'm not aware of this case. I only received the information last night that I'm coming to court."
"You should be aware by now," answered the judge. "Because you are now in court, there are a lot of people here looking at you."
He granted Amos an adjournment to speak to a lawyer. He will return to court on Aug 28.
If convicted of cheating, he faces up to 10 years' jail and a fine.
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