Integrity Focus
Menu
Recent ICAC Cases Anti-Corruption Laws in Hong Kong Corruption Myths Cross-Boundary Business Operations Conflict of Interest
What is conflict of interest? Examples of conflict of interest Problems arising from conflict of interest How to handle conflict of interest? How well are we managing conflict of interest?
Ethical Decision MakingRecent ICAC Cases
18
Nov 2025Four charged by ICAC jailed for 14 to 21 months for $4.6m subcontract payment fraud over false reservoir inspection reportsThe director of a former subcontractor of the Water Supplies Department (WSD) and three of his employees, charged by the ICAC, were today (November 18) sentenced to jail terms of 14 to 21 months at the District Court for conspiracy to defraud by submitting service reservoir inspection reports containing false information to induce the WSD to release service payments totalling about $4.6 million.Lau Ho-kei, 45, sole director-cum-shareholder of Helpful Engineering Company Limited (Helpful Engineering), was sentenced to 21 months’ imprisonment; Li Wing-to, 34, then clerk of Helpful Engineering, received a jail term of 18 months; Kwok Ka-hay and Kwok Ka-kei, both 41 and then handymen of Helpful Engineering, were respectively jailed for 19 and 14 months. The defendants earlier pleaded guilty to a total of two counts of conspiracy to defraud, contrary to the Common Law.In sentencing, Judge Mr Isaac Tam Sze-lok remarked that the defendants had conspired to defraud a government department, undermining the public interest and involving public safety. The Judge took a starting point of 24 to 33 months’ imprisonment for the defendants, and reduced their sentences to 14 to 21 months, having considered their guilty pleas and other mitigating factors.The ICAC had earlier filed an application with the court for the confiscation of Lau’s crime proceeds involved in the present case. Hearing on the application is scheduled for February 13 next year.The court heard that between July 2020 and June 2022, the WSD awarded two term contracts for the provision various waterworks services for the New Territories East District to Ming Hing Waterworks Engineering Company Limited (Ming Hing). Helpful Engineering was subcontracted to conduct inspections at around 40 service reservoirs in the district to maintain safety and condition of the service reservoirs.The WSD required its subcontractors to assign a designated number of teams, each consisting of three members for conducting daily inspections. Subcontractors were also required to compile a daily inspection report supported by photographs taken during the inspections.The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint. Enquiries revealed that at the material time, Helpful Engineering did not conduct the relevant inspections in compliance with the requirements of the WSD.The ICAC investigation revealed that on various occasions, Lau had instructed Kwok Ka-hay, Kwok Ka-kei and other employees of Helpful Engineering to take photographs of waterworks facilities and alter the date and time of the photographs, which purported to have been taken on different days. Upon Lau’s instruction, Helpful Engineering’s employees used those photographs to compile the relevant daily inspection reports for submission to the WSD.Lau and Li had also instructed employees of Helpful Engineering to prepare false attendance records to show that inspection teams had duly conducted daily inspections at the service reservoirs pursuant to the requirements of the WSD and that each inspection was conducted by three members.As a result, the defendants had induced the WSD to release service payments amounting to about $4.6 million to Helpful Engineering through the fraudulent scheme.The WSD and Ming Hing rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.The prosecution was today represented by Senior Public Prosecutor Noelle Aileen Chit, assisted by ICAC officer Christine Wong. 07
Nov 2025ICAC and Police joint operation ‘Momentum’: 32 netted for alleged corruption and fraud over $140m special loansThe ICAC and the Police conducted a joint operation, codenamed “Momentum”, on October 30 and 31, against corruption-facilitated fraudulent loan applications for the Special 100% Loan Guarantee as well as the 80% and 90% Guarantee Products under the Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME) Financing Guarantee Scheme. A total of 32 individuals were arrested by the two agencies in connection with fraudulent loan applications amounting to $140 million.During the joint operation, the ICAC arrested 20 men and five women, aged between 31 and 63, for bribery offences under the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance. The arrestees included 13 frontline bank employees, seven intermediary operators (intermediaries), and five other individuals. Some of the arrested intermediaries were former bank staff.ICAC officers conducted searches at various premises, where company documents of the intermediaries, bank documents and cash of over $200,000, believed to be part of the bribes in the scam, were seized.The scam took place between June 2022 and May 2025. ICAC investigation revealed that the intermediaries had allegedly recruited dummy SMEs and arranged for them to apply for loans with various local banks through the Government’s SME Financing Guarantee Scheme. Most of the SMEs concerned had no genuine business operations.The intermediaries were suspected to have offered bribes, amounting to at least about $500,000, to frontline bank staff for assisting dummy SMEs to open bank accounts and apply for loans by using false supporting documents. The 28 applications made by 22 SMEs involved loans totalling $140 million. It is alleged that the dummy SMEs had received rewards ranging from 5% to 7% of the loan payments, while the intermediaries pocketed the remaining sums after deducting the bribes paid to bank staff. The joint operation “Momentum” mounted by the ICAC and the Police had successfully intercepted the approval and release of loans of some of the applications.In the joint operation, officers of the Commercial Crime Bureau and the Hong Kong Island Regional Crime Unit of the Police arrested four men and three women, aged between 31 and 66, for alleged fraud offences in the abovementioned loan applications.Investigation revealed that the suspects from nine SMEs allegedly used false salary proofs and company operation records to apply for loans from various local banks under the SME Financing Guarantee Scheme’s 90% Guarantee Product and 100% Guarantee Special Loan. Some of the SMEs involved also opened fake Mandatory Provident Fund accounts and submitted a large number of false financial documents in their applications to obtain higher loan amounts. The total loan amount involved in these applications exceeded $50 million. During the operation, Police officers seized bank documents, bank cards and electronic devices.The Police reminds the public that the maximum penalty for fraud upon conviction is 14 years’ imprisonment. As the investigations are ongoing, the ICAC and the Police do not rule out further law enforcement actions.The ICAC and the Police have maintained close cooperation in combating crimes. The joint operation demonstrates the determination of the two agencies in fighting financial crimes, showcasing the time-tested anti-corruption regime. The ICAC wishes to reiterate that the case only involves individual frontline bank employees and that the Hong Kong banking industry as a whole is clean and the financial system remains robust.The banking industry and relevant regulators have always been supportive of the ICAC’s continuous efforts to fortify the integrity culture of the industry. Last year, the ICAC, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the Hong Kong Association of Banks jointly launched the Banking Industry Integrity Charter (the Charter). Most of the local banks had participated in the Charter, undertaking to promote an integrity culture, implement good governance, provide integrity training to staff, as well as reporting suspected corruption, fraud and other illicit activities to the ICAC or other law enforcement agencies promptly.The ICAC will continue to enhance corruption prevention capabilities of banks by publishing information of integrity through the Charter’s platform to alert banks to corruption risks relating to loan applications as well as relevant corruption prevention measures. The Commission will also continue to provide timely corruption prevention advice and integrity training to bank staff. Meanwhile, the Hong Kong International Anti-Corruption Academy continues to organise professional anti-corruption courses for bank managers, enhancing the awareness of internal control personnel in preventing corruption and fraud, helping banks to detect corruption and fraud at an early stage. The strategy is highly effective.Following the joint operation “Momentum”, the ICAC will continue to work closely with the HKMC Insurance Limited (HKMCI) as well as the banking industry, providing timely advice so as to reduce relevant risks. The HKMCI will continue to closely cooperate with the banking sector and law enforcement agencies to prevent the recurrence of similar incidents.The HKMA, the HKMCI and the relevant banks rendered full assistance to the ICAC and the Police during the investigations. 07
Nov 2025Manager of Three-Runway System Project’s reclamation works sub-contractor charged by ICAC admits briberyFollowing Operation “Blizzard”, the ICAC earlier charged multiple defendants for allegedly offering and accepting bribes in relation to sub-contracts of the Three-Runway System Project (3RS Project) of the Hong Kong International Airport. A then manager of a reclamation works sub-contractor today (November 17) admitted at the District Court that he had offered a total of $200,000 in bribes to a then Principal Manager of the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) and a works manager of a main contractor. The then AAHK Principal Manager, who pleaded guilty to accepting bribes totalling about $3.3 million from two sub-contractors, is remanded in custody, pending sentence.Rob Liu Wai-lun, 58, then project manager of Carol Engineering Limited (CEL), pleaded guilty to two charges – one of conspiracy to offer an advantage to a public servant and one of conspiracy to offer an advantage to an agent, contrary to sections 4(1)(a) and 9(2)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance and section 159A of the Crimes Ordinance. Another similar bribery charge against him was left on file at the District Court.Deputy Judge Ms May Chung Ming-sun adjourned the case to September 7 next year for mention, and granted Liu bail, pending sentence.At the material time, CEL was a main reclamation works sub-contractor of the 3RS Project, responsible for supplying filling materials and providing transportation services. Ricky Lee Wing-fai, then Principal Manager of the AAHK, was responsible for managing the relevant works contracts. He was authorised to recommend sub-contractors to main contractors.The court heard that between May and July 2022, upon the instruction of Ng Kai-on, proprietor of CEL, Liu, as its project manager, offered Lee and a works manager of the main reclamation works contractor a bribe of $100,000 each for assisting CEL to carry out the relevant works.Three co-defendants were earlier charged with multiple counts of bribery and related offences. They were Ng Kai-on, CEL proprietor; and Ricky Lee Wing-fai and Yin Kek-kiong, respectively then Principal Manager and then General Manager of the AAHK.Ng had earlier indicated to the court that he would plead guilty to his charges and his case was scheduled for September 7 next year for formal plea. The charges alleged that Ng had offered bribes to Lee , Yin and three individuals from the main reclamation works contractor of the 3RS Project in relation to its sub-contracts.Meanwhile, Lee had earlier pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy for a public servant to accept advantages and six counts of dealing with property known or believed to represent proceeds of an indictable offence. He was remanded in custody of the Correctional Services Department, pending sentence.Lee admitted that he had accepted bribes totalling about $2.5 million from Ng for assisting CEL to secure sub-contracts worth over $110 million in relation to the main reclamation works, as well as accepting $800,000 in bribes from the operators of another sub-contractor for assisting the latter to secure purchase orders worth over $140 million.Yin will face trial on September 7 next year as he pleaded not guilty to one count of bribery concerning his suspected acceptance of bribes from Ng for CEL’s sub-contracts.The prosecution was today represented by Senior Public Prosecutor Noelle Aileen Chit, assisted by ICAC officer Jessie Fu.The present corruption case concerned the awarding of works and material supplies contracts, as well as administrative and financial matters. The ICAC enquiries did not reveal any issues involving the quality of works or specifications of materials. The AAHK had conducted a comprehensive review of all relevant documents and records, with no abnormalities and deficiencies identified. 06
Nov 2025Duo implicated in $3m insurance commissions fraud involving Police Sergeant wanted by ICACThe ICAC earlier charged six individuals, including a Police Sergeant, for allegedly recruiting family members, friends and Police officers to pose as dummy insurance agents and policyholders to take out bogus insurance policies using false information to deceive insurers into releasing payments of commissions, bonuses and allowances totalling about $3 million. While the case was today (November 6) transferred to the District Court for plea in late November, warrants for the arrest of two others implicated in the scam were issued by a Magistrate upon the application by the ICAC.The two wanted persons are Ng Ho-lun, former regional director of Sun Life Hong Kong Limited (Sun Life HK) and former senior branch manager of China Taiping Life Insurance (Hong Kong) Company Limited (Taiping Life HK), and Kuzca Chik Sin-deon (formerly known as Pan Chik Ka-tung), former insurance agent of Sun Life HK, both aged 35. They face a total of 21 charges – 20 of fraud, contrary to section 16A of the Theft Ordinance; and one of conspiracy to make false instruments, contrary to sections 71 and 159A of the Crimes Ordinance.The insurance commissions fraud was revealed in an ICAC investigation stemming from corruption allegations implicating certain police officers. Upon completion of the investigation, the Commission sought legal advice from the Department of Justice, which advised charging eight individuals. Warrants for the arrest of Ng and Chik, who had already left Hong Kong, were issued by a Magistrate upon the application by the ICAC.The six defendants charged earlier are Lam Hin-ho, Police Sergeant, his elder brother Lam Chun-pong, his sister-in-law Yu Xiaodan, his friend Lau Chun-yee (formerly known as Lau Man-yee), Osbert Hui Yee, solicitor, and Sze Hong-chak, Police Constable, who posed as dummy downline insurance agents or dummy policyholders respectively.They face the 21 counts of fraud and conspiracy to make false instruments in the present case, which was brought to the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts for mention today. The case was transferred to the District Court for plea on November 27 and the bail for the six defendants was extended.At the material time, Lam Hin-ho was a Police Sergeant. He was not an insurance agent eligible to sell any insurance product. Ng was once a regional director of Sun Life HK and then a senior branch manager of Taiping Life HK.Enquiries revealed that Lam Hin-ho and Ng had allegedly recruited certain individuals, including Lam Hin-ho’s family members, friends and Police colleagues, to pose as dummy downline insurance agents and dummy policyholders to take out 20 insurance policies with Sun Life HK and Taiping Life HK and pay for the premiums.After underwriting the insurance policies, Sun Life HK and Taiping Life HK had respectively released payments, including commissions, bonuses and allowances, totalling about $1 million and about $2 million to the insurance agents concerned. In addition, Lam Hin-ho and Ng had allegedly arranged Lau to join Taiping Life HK to take part in the scam by using false academic qualifications documents.The 20 fraud charges allege that between December 2016 and June 2024, Lam Hin-ho and Ng, together with the six individuals implicated and other dummy downline agents and policyholders, made false representations to Sun Life HK and Taiping Life HK on different occasions, and with intent to defraud, induced the two insurers to underwrite the 20 insurance policies in the present case and release to the agents concerned payments, including relevant commissions, bonuses and allowances.It is alleged that they had falsely represented to Sun Life HK and Taiping Life HK that the insurance policy applications concerned were genuine; the relevant premiums or contributions were settled by the policyholders; and the dummy insurance agents had personally interviewed the applicants. The relevant premiums were paid by the defendants and their associates.The remaining charge alleges that between January and May 2021, Lam Hin-ho, Ng and Lau had conspired together with other persons to make false instruments, including academic qualifications, with the intention to induce Taiping Life HK to accept them as genuine.The Police, Sun Life HK and Taiping Life HK rendered assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Sebastian Louie.Wanted persons:Ng Ho-lun: www.icac.org.hk/en/rc/wanted/index_id_78.htmlKuzca Chik Sin-deon: www.icac.org.hk/en/rc/wanted/index_id_79.html 06
Nov 2025Senior executive of contractor of COVID-19 Community Testing Centres charged by ICAC for concealing conflict of interest in $120m contractA then senior executive of a contractor of COVID-19 Community Testing Centres (CTCs) was charged by the ICAC yesterday (November 5) for allegedly concealing his conflict of interest when contracting out the daily operation of CTCs to a company controlled by him and others, resulting in service payments totalling $120 million.Wong Lei-po, 56, former laboratory director of the Hong Kong Molecular Pathology Diagnostic Centre Limited (HKM), faces one count of fraud, contrary to section 16A (1) of the Theft Ordinance. He was released on ICAC bail, pending his appearance at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (November 7) for mention.Amid the pandemic, HKM was one of the designated service providers engaged by the government to operate CTCs, comprising the daily operation and laboratory testing. HKM contracted out CTCs’ daily operation, including registration and crowd control, to Health Conscience Limited (HCL).At the material time, the defendant was the laboratory director of HKM overseeing its operation, including the selection of subcontractors. HKM required its staff members to avoid any conflict of interest situation and to declare any actual or potential conflict of interest in writing. The defendant had never declared to HKM his interest in HCL.It is alleged that between January and December 2022, the defendant had concealed from or failed to disclose to HKM his interest in HCL, and with intent to defraud, induced HKM to award the service agreement for daily operation of CTCs to HCL.The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint. Enquiries revealed that HCL was set up and controlled by the defendant and others. HKM made service payments totalling $120 million to HCL for the service provided by HCL at the material time.HKM rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.The ICAC advises business organisations to formulate clear guidelines and systems of declaring conflict of interest. Staff members of business organisations are reminded to avoid conflict of interest situations and to make timely declaration to their employers. Concealing any conflict of interest in relation to one’s official duties to benefit himself or his associates may constitute a breach of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance or other criminal law.
Nov 2025Four charged by ICAC jailed for 14 to 21 months for $4.6m subcontract payment fraud over false reservoir inspection reportsThe director of a former subcontractor of the Water Supplies Department (WSD) and three of his employees, charged by the ICAC, were today (November 18) sentenced to jail terms of 14 to 21 months at the District Court for conspiracy to defraud by submitting service reservoir inspection reports containing false information to induce the WSD to release service payments totalling about $4.6 million.Lau Ho-kei, 45, sole director-cum-shareholder of Helpful Engineering Company Limited (Helpful Engineering), was sentenced to 21 months’ imprisonment; Li Wing-to, 34, then clerk of Helpful Engineering, received a jail term of 18 months; Kwok Ka-hay and Kwok Ka-kei, both 41 and then handymen of Helpful Engineering, were respectively jailed for 19 and 14 months. The defendants earlier pleaded guilty to a total of two counts of conspiracy to defraud, contrary to the Common Law.In sentencing, Judge Mr Isaac Tam Sze-lok remarked that the defendants had conspired to defraud a government department, undermining the public interest and involving public safety. The Judge took a starting point of 24 to 33 months’ imprisonment for the defendants, and reduced their sentences to 14 to 21 months, having considered their guilty pleas and other mitigating factors.The ICAC had earlier filed an application with the court for the confiscation of Lau’s crime proceeds involved in the present case. Hearing on the application is scheduled for February 13 next year.The court heard that between July 2020 and June 2022, the WSD awarded two term contracts for the provision various waterworks services for the New Territories East District to Ming Hing Waterworks Engineering Company Limited (Ming Hing). Helpful Engineering was subcontracted to conduct inspections at around 40 service reservoirs in the district to maintain safety and condition of the service reservoirs.The WSD required its subcontractors to assign a designated number of teams, each consisting of three members for conducting daily inspections. Subcontractors were also required to compile a daily inspection report supported by photographs taken during the inspections.The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint. Enquiries revealed that at the material time, Helpful Engineering did not conduct the relevant inspections in compliance with the requirements of the WSD.The ICAC investigation revealed that on various occasions, Lau had instructed Kwok Ka-hay, Kwok Ka-kei and other employees of Helpful Engineering to take photographs of waterworks facilities and alter the date and time of the photographs, which purported to have been taken on different days. Upon Lau’s instruction, Helpful Engineering’s employees used those photographs to compile the relevant daily inspection reports for submission to the WSD.Lau and Li had also instructed employees of Helpful Engineering to prepare false attendance records to show that inspection teams had duly conducted daily inspections at the service reservoirs pursuant to the requirements of the WSD and that each inspection was conducted by three members.As a result, the defendants had induced the WSD to release service payments amounting to about $4.6 million to Helpful Engineering through the fraudulent scheme.The WSD and Ming Hing rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.The prosecution was today represented by Senior Public Prosecutor Noelle Aileen Chit, assisted by ICAC officer Christine Wong. 07
Nov 2025ICAC and Police joint operation ‘Momentum’: 32 netted for alleged corruption and fraud over $140m special loansThe ICAC and the Police conducted a joint operation, codenamed “Momentum”, on October 30 and 31, against corruption-facilitated fraudulent loan applications for the Special 100% Loan Guarantee as well as the 80% and 90% Guarantee Products under the Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME) Financing Guarantee Scheme. A total of 32 individuals were arrested by the two agencies in connection with fraudulent loan applications amounting to $140 million.During the joint operation, the ICAC arrested 20 men and five women, aged between 31 and 63, for bribery offences under the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance. The arrestees included 13 frontline bank employees, seven intermediary operators (intermediaries), and five other individuals. Some of the arrested intermediaries were former bank staff.ICAC officers conducted searches at various premises, where company documents of the intermediaries, bank documents and cash of over $200,000, believed to be part of the bribes in the scam, were seized.The scam took place between June 2022 and May 2025. ICAC investigation revealed that the intermediaries had allegedly recruited dummy SMEs and arranged for them to apply for loans with various local banks through the Government’s SME Financing Guarantee Scheme. Most of the SMEs concerned had no genuine business operations.The intermediaries were suspected to have offered bribes, amounting to at least about $500,000, to frontline bank staff for assisting dummy SMEs to open bank accounts and apply for loans by using false supporting documents. The 28 applications made by 22 SMEs involved loans totalling $140 million. It is alleged that the dummy SMEs had received rewards ranging from 5% to 7% of the loan payments, while the intermediaries pocketed the remaining sums after deducting the bribes paid to bank staff. The joint operation “Momentum” mounted by the ICAC and the Police had successfully intercepted the approval and release of loans of some of the applications.In the joint operation, officers of the Commercial Crime Bureau and the Hong Kong Island Regional Crime Unit of the Police arrested four men and three women, aged between 31 and 66, for alleged fraud offences in the abovementioned loan applications.Investigation revealed that the suspects from nine SMEs allegedly used false salary proofs and company operation records to apply for loans from various local banks under the SME Financing Guarantee Scheme’s 90% Guarantee Product and 100% Guarantee Special Loan. Some of the SMEs involved also opened fake Mandatory Provident Fund accounts and submitted a large number of false financial documents in their applications to obtain higher loan amounts. The total loan amount involved in these applications exceeded $50 million. During the operation, Police officers seized bank documents, bank cards and electronic devices.The Police reminds the public that the maximum penalty for fraud upon conviction is 14 years’ imprisonment. As the investigations are ongoing, the ICAC and the Police do not rule out further law enforcement actions.The ICAC and the Police have maintained close cooperation in combating crimes. The joint operation demonstrates the determination of the two agencies in fighting financial crimes, showcasing the time-tested anti-corruption regime. The ICAC wishes to reiterate that the case only involves individual frontline bank employees and that the Hong Kong banking industry as a whole is clean and the financial system remains robust.The banking industry and relevant regulators have always been supportive of the ICAC’s continuous efforts to fortify the integrity culture of the industry. Last year, the ICAC, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the Hong Kong Association of Banks jointly launched the Banking Industry Integrity Charter (the Charter). Most of the local banks had participated in the Charter, undertaking to promote an integrity culture, implement good governance, provide integrity training to staff, as well as reporting suspected corruption, fraud and other illicit activities to the ICAC or other law enforcement agencies promptly.The ICAC will continue to enhance corruption prevention capabilities of banks by publishing information of integrity through the Charter’s platform to alert banks to corruption risks relating to loan applications as well as relevant corruption prevention measures. The Commission will also continue to provide timely corruption prevention advice and integrity training to bank staff. Meanwhile, the Hong Kong International Anti-Corruption Academy continues to organise professional anti-corruption courses for bank managers, enhancing the awareness of internal control personnel in preventing corruption and fraud, helping banks to detect corruption and fraud at an early stage. The strategy is highly effective.Following the joint operation “Momentum”, the ICAC will continue to work closely with the HKMC Insurance Limited (HKMCI) as well as the banking industry, providing timely advice so as to reduce relevant risks. The HKMCI will continue to closely cooperate with the banking sector and law enforcement agencies to prevent the recurrence of similar incidents.The HKMA, the HKMCI and the relevant banks rendered full assistance to the ICAC and the Police during the investigations. 07
Nov 2025Manager of Three-Runway System Project’s reclamation works sub-contractor charged by ICAC admits briberyFollowing Operation “Blizzard”, the ICAC earlier charged multiple defendants for allegedly offering and accepting bribes in relation to sub-contracts of the Three-Runway System Project (3RS Project) of the Hong Kong International Airport. A then manager of a reclamation works sub-contractor today (November 17) admitted at the District Court that he had offered a total of $200,000 in bribes to a then Principal Manager of the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) and a works manager of a main contractor. The then AAHK Principal Manager, who pleaded guilty to accepting bribes totalling about $3.3 million from two sub-contractors, is remanded in custody, pending sentence.Rob Liu Wai-lun, 58, then project manager of Carol Engineering Limited (CEL), pleaded guilty to two charges – one of conspiracy to offer an advantage to a public servant and one of conspiracy to offer an advantage to an agent, contrary to sections 4(1)(a) and 9(2)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance and section 159A of the Crimes Ordinance. Another similar bribery charge against him was left on file at the District Court.Deputy Judge Ms May Chung Ming-sun adjourned the case to September 7 next year for mention, and granted Liu bail, pending sentence.At the material time, CEL was a main reclamation works sub-contractor of the 3RS Project, responsible for supplying filling materials and providing transportation services. Ricky Lee Wing-fai, then Principal Manager of the AAHK, was responsible for managing the relevant works contracts. He was authorised to recommend sub-contractors to main contractors.The court heard that between May and July 2022, upon the instruction of Ng Kai-on, proprietor of CEL, Liu, as its project manager, offered Lee and a works manager of the main reclamation works contractor a bribe of $100,000 each for assisting CEL to carry out the relevant works.Three co-defendants were earlier charged with multiple counts of bribery and related offences. They were Ng Kai-on, CEL proprietor; and Ricky Lee Wing-fai and Yin Kek-kiong, respectively then Principal Manager and then General Manager of the AAHK.Ng had earlier indicated to the court that he would plead guilty to his charges and his case was scheduled for September 7 next year for formal plea. The charges alleged that Ng had offered bribes to Lee , Yin and three individuals from the main reclamation works contractor of the 3RS Project in relation to its sub-contracts.Meanwhile, Lee had earlier pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy for a public servant to accept advantages and six counts of dealing with property known or believed to represent proceeds of an indictable offence. He was remanded in custody of the Correctional Services Department, pending sentence.Lee admitted that he had accepted bribes totalling about $2.5 million from Ng for assisting CEL to secure sub-contracts worth over $110 million in relation to the main reclamation works, as well as accepting $800,000 in bribes from the operators of another sub-contractor for assisting the latter to secure purchase orders worth over $140 million.Yin will face trial on September 7 next year as he pleaded not guilty to one count of bribery concerning his suspected acceptance of bribes from Ng for CEL’s sub-contracts.The prosecution was today represented by Senior Public Prosecutor Noelle Aileen Chit, assisted by ICAC officer Jessie Fu.The present corruption case concerned the awarding of works and material supplies contracts, as well as administrative and financial matters. The ICAC enquiries did not reveal any issues involving the quality of works or specifications of materials. The AAHK had conducted a comprehensive review of all relevant documents and records, with no abnormalities and deficiencies identified. 06
Nov 2025Duo implicated in $3m insurance commissions fraud involving Police Sergeant wanted by ICACThe ICAC earlier charged six individuals, including a Police Sergeant, for allegedly recruiting family members, friends and Police officers to pose as dummy insurance agents and policyholders to take out bogus insurance policies using false information to deceive insurers into releasing payments of commissions, bonuses and allowances totalling about $3 million. While the case was today (November 6) transferred to the District Court for plea in late November, warrants for the arrest of two others implicated in the scam were issued by a Magistrate upon the application by the ICAC.The two wanted persons are Ng Ho-lun, former regional director of Sun Life Hong Kong Limited (Sun Life HK) and former senior branch manager of China Taiping Life Insurance (Hong Kong) Company Limited (Taiping Life HK), and Kuzca Chik Sin-deon (formerly known as Pan Chik Ka-tung), former insurance agent of Sun Life HK, both aged 35. They face a total of 21 charges – 20 of fraud, contrary to section 16A of the Theft Ordinance; and one of conspiracy to make false instruments, contrary to sections 71 and 159A of the Crimes Ordinance.The insurance commissions fraud was revealed in an ICAC investigation stemming from corruption allegations implicating certain police officers. Upon completion of the investigation, the Commission sought legal advice from the Department of Justice, which advised charging eight individuals. Warrants for the arrest of Ng and Chik, who had already left Hong Kong, were issued by a Magistrate upon the application by the ICAC.The six defendants charged earlier are Lam Hin-ho, Police Sergeant, his elder brother Lam Chun-pong, his sister-in-law Yu Xiaodan, his friend Lau Chun-yee (formerly known as Lau Man-yee), Osbert Hui Yee, solicitor, and Sze Hong-chak, Police Constable, who posed as dummy downline insurance agents or dummy policyholders respectively.They face the 21 counts of fraud and conspiracy to make false instruments in the present case, which was brought to the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts for mention today. The case was transferred to the District Court for plea on November 27 and the bail for the six defendants was extended.At the material time, Lam Hin-ho was a Police Sergeant. He was not an insurance agent eligible to sell any insurance product. Ng was once a regional director of Sun Life HK and then a senior branch manager of Taiping Life HK.Enquiries revealed that Lam Hin-ho and Ng had allegedly recruited certain individuals, including Lam Hin-ho’s family members, friends and Police colleagues, to pose as dummy downline insurance agents and dummy policyholders to take out 20 insurance policies with Sun Life HK and Taiping Life HK and pay for the premiums.After underwriting the insurance policies, Sun Life HK and Taiping Life HK had respectively released payments, including commissions, bonuses and allowances, totalling about $1 million and about $2 million to the insurance agents concerned. In addition, Lam Hin-ho and Ng had allegedly arranged Lau to join Taiping Life HK to take part in the scam by using false academic qualifications documents.The 20 fraud charges allege that between December 2016 and June 2024, Lam Hin-ho and Ng, together with the six individuals implicated and other dummy downline agents and policyholders, made false representations to Sun Life HK and Taiping Life HK on different occasions, and with intent to defraud, induced the two insurers to underwrite the 20 insurance policies in the present case and release to the agents concerned payments, including relevant commissions, bonuses and allowances.It is alleged that they had falsely represented to Sun Life HK and Taiping Life HK that the insurance policy applications concerned were genuine; the relevant premiums or contributions were settled by the policyholders; and the dummy insurance agents had personally interviewed the applicants. The relevant premiums were paid by the defendants and their associates.The remaining charge alleges that between January and May 2021, Lam Hin-ho, Ng and Lau had conspired together with other persons to make false instruments, including academic qualifications, with the intention to induce Taiping Life HK to accept them as genuine.The Police, Sun Life HK and Taiping Life HK rendered assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Sebastian Louie.Wanted persons:Ng Ho-lun: www.icac.org.hk/en/rc/wanted/index_id_78.htmlKuzca Chik Sin-deon: www.icac.org.hk/en/rc/wanted/index_id_79.html 06
Nov 2025Senior executive of contractor of COVID-19 Community Testing Centres charged by ICAC for concealing conflict of interest in $120m contractA then senior executive of a contractor of COVID-19 Community Testing Centres (CTCs) was charged by the ICAC yesterday (November 5) for allegedly concealing his conflict of interest when contracting out the daily operation of CTCs to a company controlled by him and others, resulting in service payments totalling $120 million.Wong Lei-po, 56, former laboratory director of the Hong Kong Molecular Pathology Diagnostic Centre Limited (HKM), faces one count of fraud, contrary to section 16A (1) of the Theft Ordinance. He was released on ICAC bail, pending his appearance at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (November 7) for mention.Amid the pandemic, HKM was one of the designated service providers engaged by the government to operate CTCs, comprising the daily operation and laboratory testing. HKM contracted out CTCs’ daily operation, including registration and crowd control, to Health Conscience Limited (HCL).At the material time, the defendant was the laboratory director of HKM overseeing its operation, including the selection of subcontractors. HKM required its staff members to avoid any conflict of interest situation and to declare any actual or potential conflict of interest in writing. The defendant had never declared to HKM his interest in HCL.It is alleged that between January and December 2022, the defendant had concealed from or failed to disclose to HKM his interest in HCL, and with intent to defraud, induced HKM to award the service agreement for daily operation of CTCs to HCL.The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint. Enquiries revealed that HCL was set up and controlled by the defendant and others. HKM made service payments totalling $120 million to HCL for the service provided by HCL at the material time.HKM rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.The ICAC advises business organisations to formulate clear guidelines and systems of declaring conflict of interest. Staff members of business organisations are reminded to avoid conflict of interest situations and to make timely declaration to their employers. Concealing any conflict of interest in relation to one’s official duties to benefit himself or his associates may constitute a breach of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance or other criminal law.