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Ethical Decision MakingRecent ICAC Cases
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Jan 2026Hotpot restaurant duo charged by ICAC in $1.2m renovation fee fraudTwo former shareholders of a hotpot restaurant were charged by the ICAC today (January 8) for allegedly conspiring together to defraud the restaurant of $1.2 million by inflating its renovation fee.Iong Chi-fai, 49; and Wen Hoi-tik, 43, both former shareholders of Peach Garden Catering Operation Limited (Peach Garden), face one count of conspiracy to defraud, contrary to the Common Law. The duo were released on ICAC bail, pending their appearance at the Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (January 9) for mention. The prosecution will apply to transfer the case to the District Court for plea.At the material time, the duo were two of the shareholders of Peach Garden, overseeing its daily operations, while Wen’s shares in the company were held by his wife. All shareholders, including the two defendants, agreed to inject $6.6 million in total in Peach Garden to operate a hotpot restaurant. The duo were responsible for handling the renovation work of its hotpot restaurant, including sourcing a renovation contractor and negotiating the renovation fee with it.The charge alleges that between August 2022 and June 2023, the duo had allegedly conspired together to defraud Peach Garden by falsely representing that the total costs of the renovation work of the hotpot restaurant were about $4 million, and that Iong had paid a renovation fee of $1.2 million to an engineering company on behalf of Peach Garden.The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint. Enquiries revealed that Iong did not pay any renovation fee on behalf of Peach Garden. It was alleged that by making the false representations, the two defendants had inflated the costs of the renovation work by $1.2 million and shared the money.Peach Garden and the engineering company concerned rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case. 07
Jan 2026Woman charged by ICAC for bribing bank employee over account openingA woman charged by the ICAC appeared in the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts for mention this afternoon (January 7) for allegedly offering a bribe of $100 to a bank employee for opening a personal bank account.Zhang Li, 60, retiree, faces one count of offering an advantage to an agent, contrary to section 9(2) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.No plea was entered today. Magistrate Mr Gary Chu Man-hon adjourned the case to March 4 for mention and granted the defendant bail.On the afternoon of January 5, 2026, the defendant visited a branch of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC) in Tai Kok Tsui to open a personal bank account. An employee of HSBC advised the defendant to submit her application via HSBC’s mobile application, but she failed to complete the application.The charge alleges that the defendant offered a bribe of $100 to the HSBC employee on the same day in exchange for assistance to open a personal bank account with HSBC.The HSBC employee immediately stopped the defendant and rejected her offer, and reported the matter to her supervisor. The defendant was arrested by the ICAC following the receipt of a corruption complaint.The ICAC reminds the public not to bribe bank staff in exchange for its services. Should anyone come across any suspicion of corruption, he or she should report to the ICAC immediately. ICAC 24-hour Report Corruption Hotline: 25 266 366.HSBC has rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Billy Lai. 06
Jan 2026Ex-bank employee and intermediary charged by ICAC jailed for six months for bribery over account openingA former bank employee and an operator of an intermediary, charged by the ICAC, were both sentenced to six months’ imprisonment at the Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Courts today (January 6) following their guilty pleas to having conspired together to accept bribes totalling over RMB13,000, i.e., about HK$15,000, for assisting clients of the intermediary to open bank accounts.Chan Chun-hei, 30, then senior universal banker of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC), and Zhang Ling, 30, director and shareholder of A Link Consulting Hong Kong Limited (A Link), were both sentenced to six months’ imprisonment.The duo pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy for an agent to accept an advantage, contrary to section 9(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance and section 159A of the Crimes Ordinance. Another charge of offering an advantage to an agent against Chan was left on court file.In sentencing, Acting Principal Magistrate Ms May Chung Ming-sun remarked that the imposition of deterrent sentences was necessary to eradicate corruption and build a clean society. Considering the number of bank accounts and the amount of bribes involved in the present case, the court took nine months in jail for sentencing as the starting point. The defendants’ jail terms were reduced to six months, taking into account their guilty pleas and other mitigating factors.The court also ordered Chan to make restitution of over RMB13,000, i.e., about HK$15,000, equivalent to the bribe amount involved, to HSBC.At the material time, Chan was posted to a branch of HSBC in Kowloon Bay. A Link was set up by Zhang to provide services in Mainland for opening bank accounts in Hong Kong. Each client who successfully opened an account would be charged a service fee ranging from RMB500 to RMB1,500.The court heard that between March 2024 and January 2025, Chan had accepted bribes of over RMB13,000, i.e., about HK$15,000, from Zhang for assisting over 120 clients referred by Zhang and her associates to open bank accounts at HSBC.The ICAC has long attached great importance to the integrity of bank practitioners. With the full support of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, the Hong Kong Association of Banks and the banking industry, the ICAC launched the Banking Industry Integrity Charter last year to promote an integrity culture in the industry. The ICAC will continue to enhance its exchange with the industry under the framework of the Charter to heighten practitioners’ sensitivity to corruption risks, and provide continuous integrity training for bank practitioners.HSBC rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Samantha Nichols. 31
Dec 2025Property agent charged by ICAC guilty of bribery over divulging property vendors informationA property agent charged by the ICAC was today (December 31) convicted at the Shatin Magistrates’ Courts of bribery for accepting $32,500 in bribes for divulging information of property vendors to two directors of another property agency for them to promote services of the property agency. The two directors had earlier entered guilty pleas.Kong Ka-shing, 27, property agent of Midland Realty International Limited (Midland Realty), was found guilty of two charges after trial – one of conspiracy for an agent to accept an advantage, contrary to section 9(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance and section 159A of the Crimes Ordinance, and one of access to computer with criminal or dishonest intent, contrary to section 161(1)(c) of the Crimes Ordinance.Tong Hei-yi, 31; and Chau Ting-fung, 42, both directors-cum-shareholders of Kashing Property (Corp) Limited (Kashing Property), earlier pleaded guilty to the charge of conspiracy for an agent to accept an advantage.Deputy Magistrate Miss Li Cheuk-wai adjourned the case to January 15, 2026 for sentence, pending background reports of all defendants. The trio were remanded in the custody of the Correctional Services Department.At the material time, Kong was posted to a branch of Midland Realty in Shatin, while Tong and Chau were directors-cum-shareholders of Kashing Property, a property agency providing property agency services in Taipo and nearby areas. Midland Realty prohibited its property agents from divulging confidential client information and forbade them from accepting any advantages in relation to Midland Realty’s business.The court heard that between May and October 2022, Kong had accepted bribes totalling $32,500 from individuals including Tong and Chau for retrieving the information of property vendors, including their surnames, phone numbers and property addresses, from the database of Midland Realty.During the six-month period when the offences took place, Kong had divulged over 1,000 records of property vendors to Tong, Chau and others for Kashing Property to promote its services.Midland Realty rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.The prosecution was today represented by prosecuting counsel Joe Chan, assisted by ICAC officer Chacha Chan. 04
Dec 2025Property officer charged by ICAC sentenced to one year in prison for fraud over $670,000 private estate maintenance worksA property officer of a property management company, charged by the ICAC, was sentenced to one year’s imprisonment after admitting at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts today (December 4) that he had secured various minor works of a residential estate worth totalling about $670,000 by concealing his conflicting interest.Lui Kien-fat, 71, former property officer of Kong Shum Union Property Management Company Limited (Kong Shum, now renamed as Kong Shum Smart Management Services Limited (Kong Shum Smart Management Services), pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud, contrary to section 16A of the Theft Ordinance.In sentencing, Principal Magistrate Mr David Cheung Chi-wai remarked that the case was serious in nature and the defendant had breached the trust placed in him. Holding a key position in the residential estate, the defendant had abused his authority for personal gain, defrauding the Incorporated Owners (IO) of the residential estate to secure works contracts.At the material time, Kong Shum provided property management services to Sun Sing Centre, a private residential estate in Shau Kei Wan. The defendant was employed by Kong Shum and posted to Sun Sing Centre to assist its IO in handling procurement matters and overseeing contractors. Kong Shum required its employees to declare conflict of interest in relation to contractors.The court heard that the defendant had concealed from the IO of Sun Sing Centre that he was the significant controller of New Century (EMC) Limited (New Century), and induced the IO to award contracts and pay service fees totalling over $290,000 to New Century for installation of an energy-efficient lighting system.The defendant had also concealed from Sun Sing Centre’s IO that he had financial interests in Kwan Kee Engineering Co. (Kwan Kee) to deceive the IO into settling works payments totalling about $380,000 to Kwan Kee for 27 minor maintenance works awarded to it.ICAC enquiries revealed that New Century and Kwan Kee, both set up by the defendant, were directly or indirectly controlled by him at the material time.The IO of Sun Sing Centre and Kong Shum Smart Management Services rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Dominic Sung.
Jan 2026Hotpot restaurant duo charged by ICAC in $1.2m renovation fee fraudTwo former shareholders of a hotpot restaurant were charged by the ICAC today (January 8) for allegedly conspiring together to defraud the restaurant of $1.2 million by inflating its renovation fee.Iong Chi-fai, 49; and Wen Hoi-tik, 43, both former shareholders of Peach Garden Catering Operation Limited (Peach Garden), face one count of conspiracy to defraud, contrary to the Common Law. The duo were released on ICAC bail, pending their appearance at the Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (January 9) for mention. The prosecution will apply to transfer the case to the District Court for plea.At the material time, the duo were two of the shareholders of Peach Garden, overseeing its daily operations, while Wen’s shares in the company were held by his wife. All shareholders, including the two defendants, agreed to inject $6.6 million in total in Peach Garden to operate a hotpot restaurant. The duo were responsible for handling the renovation work of its hotpot restaurant, including sourcing a renovation contractor and negotiating the renovation fee with it.The charge alleges that between August 2022 and June 2023, the duo had allegedly conspired together to defraud Peach Garden by falsely representing that the total costs of the renovation work of the hotpot restaurant were about $4 million, and that Iong had paid a renovation fee of $1.2 million to an engineering company on behalf of Peach Garden.The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint. Enquiries revealed that Iong did not pay any renovation fee on behalf of Peach Garden. It was alleged that by making the false representations, the two defendants had inflated the costs of the renovation work by $1.2 million and shared the money.Peach Garden and the engineering company concerned rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case. 07
Jan 2026Woman charged by ICAC for bribing bank employee over account openingA woman charged by the ICAC appeared in the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts for mention this afternoon (January 7) for allegedly offering a bribe of $100 to a bank employee for opening a personal bank account.Zhang Li, 60, retiree, faces one count of offering an advantage to an agent, contrary to section 9(2) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.No plea was entered today. Magistrate Mr Gary Chu Man-hon adjourned the case to March 4 for mention and granted the defendant bail.On the afternoon of January 5, 2026, the defendant visited a branch of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC) in Tai Kok Tsui to open a personal bank account. An employee of HSBC advised the defendant to submit her application via HSBC’s mobile application, but she failed to complete the application.The charge alleges that the defendant offered a bribe of $100 to the HSBC employee on the same day in exchange for assistance to open a personal bank account with HSBC.The HSBC employee immediately stopped the defendant and rejected her offer, and reported the matter to her supervisor. The defendant was arrested by the ICAC following the receipt of a corruption complaint.The ICAC reminds the public not to bribe bank staff in exchange for its services. Should anyone come across any suspicion of corruption, he or she should report to the ICAC immediately. ICAC 24-hour Report Corruption Hotline: 25 266 366.HSBC has rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Billy Lai. 06
Jan 2026Ex-bank employee and intermediary charged by ICAC jailed for six months for bribery over account openingA former bank employee and an operator of an intermediary, charged by the ICAC, were both sentenced to six months’ imprisonment at the Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Courts today (January 6) following their guilty pleas to having conspired together to accept bribes totalling over RMB13,000, i.e., about HK$15,000, for assisting clients of the intermediary to open bank accounts.Chan Chun-hei, 30, then senior universal banker of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC), and Zhang Ling, 30, director and shareholder of A Link Consulting Hong Kong Limited (A Link), were both sentenced to six months’ imprisonment.The duo pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy for an agent to accept an advantage, contrary to section 9(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance and section 159A of the Crimes Ordinance. Another charge of offering an advantage to an agent against Chan was left on court file.In sentencing, Acting Principal Magistrate Ms May Chung Ming-sun remarked that the imposition of deterrent sentences was necessary to eradicate corruption and build a clean society. Considering the number of bank accounts and the amount of bribes involved in the present case, the court took nine months in jail for sentencing as the starting point. The defendants’ jail terms were reduced to six months, taking into account their guilty pleas and other mitigating factors.The court also ordered Chan to make restitution of over RMB13,000, i.e., about HK$15,000, equivalent to the bribe amount involved, to HSBC.At the material time, Chan was posted to a branch of HSBC in Kowloon Bay. A Link was set up by Zhang to provide services in Mainland for opening bank accounts in Hong Kong. Each client who successfully opened an account would be charged a service fee ranging from RMB500 to RMB1,500.The court heard that between March 2024 and January 2025, Chan had accepted bribes of over RMB13,000, i.e., about HK$15,000, from Zhang for assisting over 120 clients referred by Zhang and her associates to open bank accounts at HSBC.The ICAC has long attached great importance to the integrity of bank practitioners. With the full support of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, the Hong Kong Association of Banks and the banking industry, the ICAC launched the Banking Industry Integrity Charter last year to promote an integrity culture in the industry. The ICAC will continue to enhance its exchange with the industry under the framework of the Charter to heighten practitioners’ sensitivity to corruption risks, and provide continuous integrity training for bank practitioners.HSBC rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Samantha Nichols. 31
Dec 2025Property agent charged by ICAC guilty of bribery over divulging property vendors informationA property agent charged by the ICAC was today (December 31) convicted at the Shatin Magistrates’ Courts of bribery for accepting $32,500 in bribes for divulging information of property vendors to two directors of another property agency for them to promote services of the property agency. The two directors had earlier entered guilty pleas.Kong Ka-shing, 27, property agent of Midland Realty International Limited (Midland Realty), was found guilty of two charges after trial – one of conspiracy for an agent to accept an advantage, contrary to section 9(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance and section 159A of the Crimes Ordinance, and one of access to computer with criminal or dishonest intent, contrary to section 161(1)(c) of the Crimes Ordinance.Tong Hei-yi, 31; and Chau Ting-fung, 42, both directors-cum-shareholders of Kashing Property (Corp) Limited (Kashing Property), earlier pleaded guilty to the charge of conspiracy for an agent to accept an advantage.Deputy Magistrate Miss Li Cheuk-wai adjourned the case to January 15, 2026 for sentence, pending background reports of all defendants. The trio were remanded in the custody of the Correctional Services Department.At the material time, Kong was posted to a branch of Midland Realty in Shatin, while Tong and Chau were directors-cum-shareholders of Kashing Property, a property agency providing property agency services in Taipo and nearby areas. Midland Realty prohibited its property agents from divulging confidential client information and forbade them from accepting any advantages in relation to Midland Realty’s business.The court heard that between May and October 2022, Kong had accepted bribes totalling $32,500 from individuals including Tong and Chau for retrieving the information of property vendors, including their surnames, phone numbers and property addresses, from the database of Midland Realty.During the six-month period when the offences took place, Kong had divulged over 1,000 records of property vendors to Tong, Chau and others for Kashing Property to promote its services.Midland Realty rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.The prosecution was today represented by prosecuting counsel Joe Chan, assisted by ICAC officer Chacha Chan. 04
Dec 2025Property officer charged by ICAC sentenced to one year in prison for fraud over $670,000 private estate maintenance worksA property officer of a property management company, charged by the ICAC, was sentenced to one year’s imprisonment after admitting at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts today (December 4) that he had secured various minor works of a residential estate worth totalling about $670,000 by concealing his conflicting interest.Lui Kien-fat, 71, former property officer of Kong Shum Union Property Management Company Limited (Kong Shum, now renamed as Kong Shum Smart Management Services Limited (Kong Shum Smart Management Services), pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud, contrary to section 16A of the Theft Ordinance.In sentencing, Principal Magistrate Mr David Cheung Chi-wai remarked that the case was serious in nature and the defendant had breached the trust placed in him. Holding a key position in the residential estate, the defendant had abused his authority for personal gain, defrauding the Incorporated Owners (IO) of the residential estate to secure works contracts.At the material time, Kong Shum provided property management services to Sun Sing Centre, a private residential estate in Shau Kei Wan. The defendant was employed by Kong Shum and posted to Sun Sing Centre to assist its IO in handling procurement matters and overseeing contractors. Kong Shum required its employees to declare conflict of interest in relation to contractors.The court heard that the defendant had concealed from the IO of Sun Sing Centre that he was the significant controller of New Century (EMC) Limited (New Century), and induced the IO to award contracts and pay service fees totalling over $290,000 to New Century for installation of an energy-efficient lighting system.The defendant had also concealed from Sun Sing Centre’s IO that he had financial interests in Kwan Kee Engineering Co. (Kwan Kee) to deceive the IO into settling works payments totalling about $380,000 to Kwan Kee for 27 minor maintenance works awarded to it.ICAC enquiries revealed that New Century and Kwan Kee, both set up by the defendant, were directly or indirectly controlled by him at the material time.The IO of Sun Sing Centre and Kong Shum Smart Management Services rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Dominic Sung.