Integrity Focus

A then contract customer service assistant of an employment agency posted to the Transport Department (TD) was charged by the ICAC yesterday (September 13) after a corruption investigation revealed that the defendant allegedly accessed to a computer system of the TD dishonestly to process 15 applications for license renewal and other services for a friend during the pandemic.

Ng Yuen-ting, 29, faces one count of obtaining access to computer with dishonest intent, contrary to section 161(1)(c) of the Crimes Ordinance. The defendant was released on ICAC bail, pending her appearance in the Shatin Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (September 15) for plea.

At the material time, the defendant was posted to TD’s Sha Tin Licensing Office, which provided licensing counter services, including applications for license renewal, transfer of vehicle ownership and printing duplicate copy of vehicle license. She was required to access the computer system maintained by the TD for processing those applications.

Between February and April 2022, Sha Tin Licensing Office only provided counter services for applicants who had made prior online appointments with the TD due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Contract customer service assistants were not authorised to access TD’s computer system for processing applications by applicants who had not made any online appointments.

The charge alleges that on March 15, 2022, the defendant obtained access to a computer of the TD with a view to dishonest gain for herself or another.

ICAC’s investigation arose from a complaint referred by the TD. Enquiries revealed that the defendant accessed TD’s computer system on the abovementioned date to process 15 applications for license renewal and other services for a friend who had not made any online appointment.

The TD and the employment agency have rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.