Integrity Focus

A private cello tutor was today (September 4) charged by the ICAC with fraud for arranging a student’s parent to purchase a cello at an instrument company without disclosing that he would benefit from the arrangement. It was alleged that the defendant had concealed from the parent the actual price of the instrument and pocketed the price difference totalling over $6,000.

Ho Ka-yeung, 30, private cello tutor, faces one count of fraud, contrary to section 16A of the Theft Ordinance. He was released on ICAC bail, pending his appearance at West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts on Friday (September 6) for plea.

The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint. Enquiries revealed that between July and August in 2023, the defendant suggested to a student’s parent to purchase a new cello for her son for his music examination. He told the parent that a discount could be obtained from Chairman Instruments Trading Limited (Chairman Instruments).

The defendant later accompanied the parent to Chairman Instruments to purchase a cello and paid for it on behalf of the parent. The charge alleges that the defendant falsely represented to the parent that the price of the cello was $24,300 after a discount from Chairman Instruments. ICAC inquiries revealed that Chairman Instruments had sold the cello to the defendant at $18,000 only. However, he never disclosed to the parent the amount he paid to Chairman Instruments, nor did he reveal that he had pocketed the price difference in reselling the instrument to the parent.