Integrity Focus

A then coordinator of a logistics company was charged by the ICAC yesterday (October 18) for allegedly deceiving his then employer into placing air cargo space orders involving totalling over $9.1 million via two companies by concealing his connection and agreement with the two companies.

Wong Wing-ho, 40, then airfreight and business development coordinator of MBS Logistics Limited (MBS), faces two counts of fraud, contrary to section 16A of the Theft Ordinance.

The defendant was released on ICAC bail, pending his appearance at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (October 20) for mention. The prosecution will apply for transferring the case to the District Court for plea.

MBS is a local subsidiary of MBS Logistics Group, a worldwide logistics company which provides logistic services to its clients including placing air cargo space orders through different carriers’ agents.

At the material time, the defendant was an airfreight and business development coordinator of MBS. He was responsible for seeking quotations from carriers’ agents for clients, arranging the delivery of clients’ goods to the agents, and submitting the agents’ invoices to MBS for payment approval.

The alleged offences took place between March 2016 and June 2019, and involved over 430 air cargo space orders, totalling over $9.1 million. It is alleged that those orders were placed by MBS with one of the carriers’ agents via two other companies, namely JTC Development Limited (JTC) and AK Logistics Limited (AKL).

It is alleged that the defendant had concealed from MBS his interests in JTC and his agreement made with AKL, and with intent to defraud, induced MBS to place air cargo space orders with the aforesaid carriers’ agent via JTC and AKL.

The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint. Enquiries revealed that the defendant had recommended MBS to place the aforesaid orders via JTC and AKL and make the relevant payments to the two companies. It is alleged that he had never disclosed to MBS that he had interests in JTC and his agreement with AKL over the orders.

The investigation revealed that the defendant gained over $1.28 million from the orders concerned.

Had MBS been aware of the defendant’s connection and agreement with JTC and AKL, it would not have purchased any air cargo space with the carriers’ agent via JTC and AKL, and settled payments for the orders.

MBS has rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.

The ICAC reminds staff of business organisations to avoid conflict of interest situations and to make timely declarations to their employers. Concealing any conflict of interest in relation to one’s official duties to benefit himself may contravene the criminal law. It may constitute a breach of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance if offering and accepting of bribes are involved.