A director of an investment company was sentenced to four years' jail by the Sessions Court here today after she pleaded guilty to cheating a friend in connection with a tender to supply digital camouflage shirts for the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) two years ago.

Judge Hasbullah Adam handed down the sentence on Shamsuzy Mahazan, 30, and ordered the woman to serve the sentence from the date of her arrest, which was last Feb 25.

Shamsuzy, who is director of Tenaga Kayangan Sdn Bhd, was charged with cheating Norhemina Juliana Abd Rashid, prompting the businesswoman to hand over RM500,0000 to her.

The offence was committed at Maybank Menara Perkeso, Dang Wangi, between Sept 3 and Oct 21, 2015.

The charge, under Section 420 of the Penal Code, provides an imprisonment for up to 10 years and with whipping, and is liable to fine, if found guilty.

According to the facts of the case, Shamsuzy told Norhemina Juliana that her company (Tenaga Kayangan) had obtained a contract to supply the digital camouflage uniform to ATM from the Defence Ministry, but she did not have sufficient fund to pay the company which produced the clothing.

Shamsuzy then offered the project to Norhemina Juliana and promised the businesswoman returns of up to 100 per cent of her investment.

Norhemina Juliana managed to get her returns until the 24th stage of the project.

For the 25th stage, involving payments amounting to RM500,000, made in five transactions from Sept 3 to Oct 21, 2015, Norhemina Juliana did not receive profit as promised by Shamsuzy. Attempts by the businesswoman to contact Shamsuzy was also futile.

Following investigation, it was found that Tenaga Kayangan was registered under Shamsuzy's name, but, according to the Defence Ministry, the company was not registered for tender of the ATM digital camouflage uniform.

In mitigation, lawyer Zulkifli Awang, representing Shamsuzy, said his client has a eight-year-old child and is the sole family breadwinner.

She is remorse and it is her first offence, he added.

Deputy public prosecutor Faridah Nurdinie Bahrum prosecuted. - BERNAMA