KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 21): Tan Sri Tan Kean Soon, the former deputy chairman of an oil-and-gas services firm, has been charged with fraud of over RM10 million.

Tan, 63, pleaded not guilty to four charges of cheating an individual of more than RM10 million on the pretext that the money would be handed over to the police to resolve money laundering cases. He claimed trial before Sessions Court judge Azrul Darus.

The charges read out accuses Tan of cheating businessman Datuk Keh Chuan Seng on four seperate occasions into believing that he could assist in resolving personal and corporate bank accounts frozen by police, as well as settling ongoing money laundering investigations against him.

Tan, who was previously with T7 Global Bhd (KL:T7GLOBAL), is charged with cheating Keh out of cash totalling RM5,500,000 and S$1.5 million, according to the charge sheet. The offence allegedly took place in March 2025.

All four charges are framed under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating and dishonestly inducing the delivery of property.

If convicted, each charge carries a mandatory sentence of imprisonment for a term of not less than one year and not more than 10 years, whipping, and potential fine.

Justice Azrul set bail at RM1 million with one surety and also requested that Tan inform the court and the public prosecutor in writing if he is going overseas.

Tan has to travel periodically to Singapore for medical treatment, his lawyer Datuk Hisyam Teh Poh Teik said and provided the court with medical documents.

Azrul set Jan 11, 2027 for the next case management.

The prosecution was represented by deputy public prosecutors Norfauzani Nordin and Noorzalizan Lazarous.