The Court of Magistrates cleared a 25-year-old Chinese national, residing in Malta, of the charges of fraud and misappropriation.

Song Zehao was found not guilty of misappropriation and defrauding six Chinese students of around Lm1,287.90(EUR3,000) and making a false declaration. In his statement, Mr Zehao told the police that he had asked each student for Lm214.65 (EUR500) to facilitate their visas being issued from Ireland allowing them to work there after their stay in Malta.

He said that he had handed all of the money to another Chinese, Gang Ni, who was the person who masterminded the scheme, “of which he had no knowledge”.

The court, presided over by Magistrate Jacqueline Padovani, noted that “criminal proceedings were brought against Gang Ni, and the same Gang Ni admitted to all charges brought against him and was sentenced and deported to China”.

Magistrate Padovani pointed out that Mr Zehao’s cooperation was instrumental and “crucial” to the proceedings initiated against Gang Ni, who “admitted to all charges”.

As a result, the court cleared Mr Zehao of all charges brought against him.

Police Inspectors Carmelo Abdilla and Ian J. Abdilla prosecuted while Dr Joseph Giglio appeared for Mr Zehao.