A 47-year-old Bruneian man, Mohamad Sambari bin Haji Abu Bakar, faces sentencing on October 17 after pleading guilty on Thursday to multiple fraud and impersonation charges. The sentencing will be handed down by Magistrate Nur Eleana binti Dato Seri Paduka Haji Hairol Arni.
Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Nurul Atikah Husaini revealed during the court proceedings that the defendant had repeatedly deceived several victims by posing as a police officer and making fraudulent offers.
Investigations showed that on February 24, the defendant fraudulently claimed that eight vehicles were being auctioned by the Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF). He convinced his first victim to pay a total of BND1,995 for vehicles that were never up for sale. Sambari brought the victim to various police stations to substantiate his false claims, promising significant discounts on the vehicles.
In March 2024, the defendant pretended to be an Assistant Superintendent of Police and coerced a second victim into writing a witness statement for a custody case. Sambari also falsely warned the victim of a drug raid, leading him into hiding and further deception. Both victims were brought to hide in Lawas and Miri, Malaysia, incurring additional costs for their safety.
Sambari further deceived his victims by pretending to be a police officer and acquiring official police uniforms and accessories from a company. He falsely claimed he was re-employed by the RBPF and obtained financial assistance from one of his victims to pay for the items.
Between January and March 2024, Sambri falsely offered an auctioned government boat engine for BND1,140 to one of his victims, knowing it was never for sale. He also tricked his victim into paying BND800 for non-existent vehicle repairs on a car, falsely claiming it belonged to him.
The court was informed that the defendant had a history of impersonation and fraud offences, with his most recent conviction under Section 420 of the Penal Code occurring in December 2023. He had only recently been released from prison before committing these new offences. – FADLEY FAISAL
