Raman Yu Lei, 34, living in Swieqi, pleaded guilty to defrauding fellow nationals Yang Hao Xiang and Fu Yong Fan and Bank of Valletta out of E2,000 and $2,700.

He was also accused of misusing two passports, forging public and private documents and knowingly making use of them. He also admitted driving without insurance.

The court, presided over by magistrate Giovanni Grixti, gave the accused a suspended sentence, ordered him to pay back the defrauded sums of money and fined him Lm1,000 to be paid within six months.

Police inspectors Joseph Cordina and Carmel Abdilla prosecuted.