A former business associate of influencer Siew Pui Yi is remanded four days over an alleged RM2.851 million LHDN tax payment fraud.

PETALING JAYA: A former business partner of Malaysian influencer, model and actress Siew Pui Yi (pic) , popularly known as Ms Puiyi, has been remanded for four days in connection with an alleged fraud involving RM2.851 million in purported tax payments to the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia (LHDN).

According to The Vibes, magistrate Shyahirah Abdul Salim approved the remand order for the 31-year-old male suspect, with the remand period commencing the day prior and running until March 8.

Investigations are being conducted under Section 420 of the Penal Code, which relates to cheating and dishonestly inducing the delivery of property.

The suspect was arrested at approximately 3am in front of an entertainment centre along Jalan Tun Razak in Kuala Lumpur.

The criminal proceedings follow a civil case concluded in 2024, in which Ms Puiyi, 25, was awarded a RM4.3 million judgment against her former business associate, identified as Kai Jian and also known by the moniker “Mentos.”

The High Court ruled in a default judgment that Kai Jian had acted fraudulently by deceiving Ms Puiyi into believing the payments she made were going toward settling outstanding LHDN tax arrears.

Kai Jian had failed to file any appearance or submit any documents in relation to the civil case, which had been ongoing since 2022, leading to the default judgment against him.

Ms Puiyi had previously alleged that she made instalment payments to Kai Jian over a period of time under the impression that the funds were being channelled to LHDN to clear her tax liabilities.

Authorities are now pursuing criminal investigations to determine whether his alleged conduct constitutes deliberate fraud under the Penal Code.

 The Sun Malaysia