Integrity Focus
Recent ICAC Cases
Nov 2024Private cello tutor charged by ICAC admits fraud over purchase of musical instrument
A private cello tutor, charged by the ICAC, today (November 4) admitted at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts that he had concealed from a parent the actual discount he obtained when assisting the latter in purchasing a cello, and pocketed the price difference totalling over $6,000.
Ho Ka-yeung, 30, private cello tutor, pleaded guilty to one count of fraud, contrary to section 16A of the Theft Ordinance. Acting Principal Magistrate Mr Cheng Lim-chi adjourned the case to November 18 for sentence, pending the defendant’s community service order report, and granted him bail.
The court heard that in July 2023, the defendant suggested that a parent should purchase a new cello for her son’s examination, and told the parent that he could help obtain a discount from Chairman Instruments Trading Limited (Chairman Instruments).
The defendant later accompanied the parent to visit Chairman Instruments to purchase a cello and paid for it. The defendant falsely represented to the parent that the price of the cello after a discount was $24,300, and the parent deposited the same into the defendant’s personal bank account.
The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint. Enquiries revealed that the defendant was a registered instructor of Chairman Instruments and was entitled to a about half-price discount when purchasing musical instruments from the company. Chairman Instruments sold the cello worth $39,000 to the defendant at $18,000. However, the defendant never disclosed to the parent the actual amount he paid for the musical instrument, and did not reveal that he had pocketed the price difference of $6,300 in reselling the instrument.
The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Vivian Poon.
The ICAC reminds members of the public that a person acting for another, such as purchasing a musical instrument, should act honestly. To avoid contravening bribery or other criminal offences, one should not make any personal gain unless an approval is obtained from the one who entrusted him to do so, such as a parent.