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Sep 2024ICAC Three-Runway System Project’s sub-contracts bribery cases: Ex-AAHK Principal Manager admits $3.3m bribery and money-launderingFollowing enforcement actions earlier taken by the ICAC in Operation “Blizzard”, a number of persons were arrested and charged in separate cases for suspected corruption in relation to the Three-Runway System Project (3RS Project) of the Hong Kong International Airport. The total bribe money involved in the cases amounted to around $7.7 million, concerning works sub-contracts and materials purchase orders worth over $280 million in total. Among the persons charged by the ICAC, a former Principal Manager of the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) today (September 5) admitted at the District Court that he had accepted bribes of about $3.3 million and laundered crime proceeds totalling about $5.7 million.Ricky Lee Wing-fai, 49, former Principal Manager of the AAHK, pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy for a public servant to accept advantages, contrary to section 4(2)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance and section 159A of the Crimes Ordinance; and six counts of dealing with property known or believed to represent proceeds of an indictable offence (commonly known as money-laundering), contrary to section 25(1) of the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance. Another money-laundering offence against him was left on court file.Judge Mr Eddie Yip Chor-man adjourned the case to September 12 for mention. Lee was remanded in the custody of the Correctional Services Department.The aforesaid offences took place between January 2017 and August 2022. The court heard that in January 2017, Lee joined the AAHK as a Senior Project Engineer. He was promoted to Principal Manager in May 2022. At the material time, he was responsible for managing various works contracts of the 3RS Project, including those for the main reclamation and the new runway. Lee was also authorised to recommend subcontractors to contractors.Regarding one of the corruption charges, Lee admitted that he had accepted bribes totalling about $2.5 million from the proprietor of a civil engineering and foundation projects subcontractor for assisting the subcontractor to be favoured by the main reclamation works contractor of the 3RS Project, and securing a subcontract. The subcontractor had accepted payments totalling about $8.3 million in relation to the relevant subcontract.Lee was also found to have recommended the subcontractor to the main contractor of one of the new runway projects. The subcontractor was awarded subcontracts worth $28 million, which were eventually terminated by the main contractor after the ICAC investigation turned overt.For another corruption charge, Lee admitted that he had accepted bribes of $800,000 from the operators of a supplier of sand for reclamation works for assisting the supplier to secure purchase orders for the main reclamation works, and to assist the supplier in demanding payments from the main reclamation works contractor. Investigation revealed that upon the recommendation by Lee, purchase orders worth over $140 million were placed with the supplier during the abovementioned period.Lee also admitted that he had laundered crime proceeds totalling about $5.7 million, including the abovementioned bribes.An ICAC spokesperson noted that the corruption cases concerned the awarding of works and material supplies contracts, as well as administrative and financial matters. ICAC enquiries did not reveal any issues involving the quality of works or specifications of materials. The ICAC learned that the AAHK had conducted a comprehensive review, with no abnormalities and deficiencies regarding the quality of works identified.AAHK had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the cases.Five co-defendants, namely former General Manager of the AAHK Yin Kek-kiong; proprietor of Carol Engineering Limited (CEL) Ng Kai-on; CEL’s former project manager Rob Liu Wai-lun and two operators of Joint Field Engineering Limited Wong Ching-ng and Wong Bun-hon, were also charged with multiple counts of bribery offences. They will appear again at the District Court on September 12 for mention. In addition, Yin Kek-kiong and sub-contractor Goldwave Steel Structure Engineering Limited’s director Alan Li Kam-on and an associate Joseph Wat Ki-cheung were charged by the ICAC in a separate case for one count of bribery offence. Their case is set for trial at the District Court on June 2, 2025.The prosecution was today represented by Senior Public Prosecutor Noelle Aileen Chit, assisted by ICAC officer Jessie Fu.An ICAC spokesperson stressed that the ICAC will continue to take stringent enforcement action against corruption so as to safeguard the probity of Hong Kong and bring offenders to justice. 04
Sep 2024Private cello tutor charged by ICAC with fraud over purchase of celloA 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. 03
Sep 2024Deputy general manager of construction company charged by ICAC for taking $2m bribe for securing project works for subcontractorThe ICAC today (September 3) charged a deputy general manager of a construction company with allegedly accepting a bribe of $2 million from an operator of a works subcontractor for assisting the latter in securing a slope and soil nail works subcontract under a site formation project.Xu Wenju, 40, deputy general manager of China Railway 15th Bureau Group Company Limited (Hong Kong Representative Office) (CR15); and Ng Koon-shing, 60, operator of Hanki Contractors (Hong Kong) & Associates Limited (Hanki), jointly face one count of conspiracy for an agent to accept an advantage, contrary to section 9(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance and section 159A of the Crimes Ordinance. The duo was released on ICAC bail, pending their appearance at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts on Thursday (September 5) for mention. The prosecution will apply for transferring the case to the District Court for plea.At the material time, Xu was the deputy general manager of CR15 responsible for overseeing the company’s construction projects in Hong Kong, while Ng was the operator of works subcontractor Hanki.Since May 2022, CR15 collaborated with another construction company to jointly manage a site formation and infrastructure works project of the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) in Tseung Kwan O. Xu, representing CR15, joined the management committee of the project to approve tenders submitted by subcontractors and handle relevant supervision matters.The charge alleges that between July and November 2022, Xu and Ng conspired together for Xu to agree to accept from Ng a bribe of $2 million for assisting Hanki to secure the slope and soil nail works subcontract under the aforesaid project (the contract).The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint. Enquiries revealed that Xu and Ng reached the relevant bribery agreement during the aforesaid period. It was also revealed that Hanki would not have been invited to bid for the works had it not been recommended to the management committee of the project by Xu. After Hanki’s submission of its tender for the contract, Xu had provided Hanki with his advice and assistance during the tendering exercise. However, since Hanki was not the lowest bidder, it was not awarded the contract.CR15 prohibited its staff from soliciting or accepting advantages in relation to the company’s business.The CEDD and CR15 rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case. 02
Sep 2024Woman charged by ICAC for allegedly offering RMB 2000 bribe to bank staff for reactivating accountThe ICAC today (September 2) charged a woman for allegedly offering a bribe of RMB 2,000 to a bank employee for assistance in reactivating her company’s bank account.LI Rong, 38, director and shareholder of Zhong Sheng Technology (Hongkong) Co. Limited (Zhong Sheng Technology), faces one count of offering an advantage to an agent, contrary to section 9(2)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance. She was released on ICAC bail, pending her appearance at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts on Wednesday (September 4) for plea.The investigation arose from a corruption complaint. Inquiries revealed that in 2013, the defendant opened a Business Integrated Account for Zhong Sheng Technology which she owned at the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC). As there were no transactions in the account for 10 consecutive months since 2015, the account was turned “dormant” in HSBC’s system.In July 2019, the defendant, through phone enquiry, learnt that the bank account was in “dormant” status. She then visited the HSBC Business Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui to reactivate the account. Since the defendant could not provide the required company documents, the procedures could not be completed on the same day. The defendant left the bank after exchanging contact information with the bank staff, and later left Hong Kong.It is alleged that on August 5, 2019, the defendant, through a communication application, offered RMB 2,000 to the aforesaid bank staff for assisting in the procedures to reactivate the account of Zhong Sheng Technology. The bank staff did not accept the offer and immediately reported the matter to her supervisor.The defendant was arrested in August 2024 when she came to Hong Kong again, and was charged by the ICAC this morning.HSBC rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.The ICAC reminds members of the public not to bribe bank staff for services. Should bank employees come across any suspicion of corruption, they should report the matter to the ICAC immediately. The ICAC collaborates closely with the banking industry and would take swift enforcement to uphold the public and stakeholders’ trust in Hong Kong’s banking system. The Community Relations Department has also produced a new educational video on bank account opening, which will be broadcast on different media platforms to remind members of the public not to breach the law. 28
Aug 2024Ex-manager of green wall installation company charged by ICAC guilty of business diversion fraudA former marketing manager of a green wall installation company, charged by the ICAC for diverting the company’s business to another company to which she was related through fraudulent means, was today (August 28) convicted of two counts of fraud at West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts.Lee Man-ling, 38, former marketing manager of Midori Creation International Limited (Midori), was found guilty of two counts of fraud, contrary to section 16A of the Theft Ordinance.The defendant was granted bail by Magistrate Mr Pang Leung-ting, and the case was adjourned to September 20 for sentence, pending a community service order report.The court heard that at the material time, the defendant was responsible for sourcing business for Midori, which specialised in green wall installation and maintenance services. She tendered her resignation in early October 2018 and left the company in early November the same year.In July 2018, the defendant provided a quotation of green wall installation to a client of Midori upon the latter’s request. In late October of the same year, the defendant falsely represented to the client that the company was going to rename to Plant Plant Holding Company Limited (Plant Plant) to cope with the business development. The defendant later submitted two quotations to that client under the name of Plant Plant, facilitating Plant Plant to obtain the service contract.In addition, during the business discussion process with another Midori’s client in October 2018, the defendant misled the client into engaging Plant Plant to provide the relevant service.The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint about the relevant service contracts. Inquiries revealed that Midori had never changed its name, and Plant Plant and Midori were two unrelated companies. It was also revealed that the defendant would join Plant Plant as marketing manager after leaving Midori. As the two aforementioned clients was misled by the defendant’s representation, they engaged Plant Plant to provide services and paid the company over $110,000 and about $50,000 respectively. Had the clients known that Midori and Plant Plant were unrelated, they would not have accepted Plant Plant’s quotations or engaged the company to provide services.Midori had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.The prosecution was today represented by prosecuting counsel Annie Lai, assisted by ICAC officer Cody Chung.
Sep 2024ICAC Three-Runway System Project’s sub-contracts bribery cases: Ex-AAHK Principal Manager admits $3.3m bribery and money-launderingFollowing enforcement actions earlier taken by the ICAC in Operation “Blizzard”, a number of persons were arrested and charged in separate cases for suspected corruption in relation to the Three-Runway System Project (3RS Project) of the Hong Kong International Airport. The total bribe money involved in the cases amounted to around $7.7 million, concerning works sub-contracts and materials purchase orders worth over $280 million in total. Among the persons charged by the ICAC, a former Principal Manager of the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) today (September 5) admitted at the District Court that he had accepted bribes of about $3.3 million and laundered crime proceeds totalling about $5.7 million.Ricky Lee Wing-fai, 49, former Principal Manager of the AAHK, pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy for a public servant to accept advantages, contrary to section 4(2)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance and section 159A of the Crimes Ordinance; and six counts of dealing with property known or believed to represent proceeds of an indictable offence (commonly known as money-laundering), contrary to section 25(1) of the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance. Another money-laundering offence against him was left on court file.Judge Mr Eddie Yip Chor-man adjourned the case to September 12 for mention. Lee was remanded in the custody of the Correctional Services Department.The aforesaid offences took place between January 2017 and August 2022. The court heard that in January 2017, Lee joined the AAHK as a Senior Project Engineer. He was promoted to Principal Manager in May 2022. At the material time, he was responsible for managing various works contracts of the 3RS Project, including those for the main reclamation and the new runway. Lee was also authorised to recommend subcontractors to contractors.Regarding one of the corruption charges, Lee admitted that he had accepted bribes totalling about $2.5 million from the proprietor of a civil engineering and foundation projects subcontractor for assisting the subcontractor to be favoured by the main reclamation works contractor of the 3RS Project, and securing a subcontract. The subcontractor had accepted payments totalling about $8.3 million in relation to the relevant subcontract.Lee was also found to have recommended the subcontractor to the main contractor of one of the new runway projects. The subcontractor was awarded subcontracts worth $28 million, which were eventually terminated by the main contractor after the ICAC investigation turned overt.For another corruption charge, Lee admitted that he had accepted bribes of $800,000 from the operators of a supplier of sand for reclamation works for assisting the supplier to secure purchase orders for the main reclamation works, and to assist the supplier in demanding payments from the main reclamation works contractor. Investigation revealed that upon the recommendation by Lee, purchase orders worth over $140 million were placed with the supplier during the abovementioned period.Lee also admitted that he had laundered crime proceeds totalling about $5.7 million, including the abovementioned bribes.An ICAC spokesperson noted that the corruption cases concerned the awarding of works and material supplies contracts, as well as administrative and financial matters. ICAC enquiries did not reveal any issues involving the quality of works or specifications of materials. The ICAC learned that the AAHK had conducted a comprehensive review, with no abnormalities and deficiencies regarding the quality of works identified.AAHK had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the cases.Five co-defendants, namely former General Manager of the AAHK Yin Kek-kiong; proprietor of Carol Engineering Limited (CEL) Ng Kai-on; CEL’s former project manager Rob Liu Wai-lun and two operators of Joint Field Engineering Limited Wong Ching-ng and Wong Bun-hon, were also charged with multiple counts of bribery offences. They will appear again at the District Court on September 12 for mention. In addition, Yin Kek-kiong and sub-contractor Goldwave Steel Structure Engineering Limited’s director Alan Li Kam-on and an associate Joseph Wat Ki-cheung were charged by the ICAC in a separate case for one count of bribery offence. Their case is set for trial at the District Court on June 2, 2025.The prosecution was today represented by Senior Public Prosecutor Noelle Aileen Chit, assisted by ICAC officer Jessie Fu.An ICAC spokesperson stressed that the ICAC will continue to take stringent enforcement action against corruption so as to safeguard the probity of Hong Kong and bring offenders to justice. 04
Sep 2024Private cello tutor charged by ICAC with fraud over purchase of celloA 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. 03
Sep 2024Deputy general manager of construction company charged by ICAC for taking $2m bribe for securing project works for subcontractorThe ICAC today (September 3) charged a deputy general manager of a construction company with allegedly accepting a bribe of $2 million from an operator of a works subcontractor for assisting the latter in securing a slope and soil nail works subcontract under a site formation project.Xu Wenju, 40, deputy general manager of China Railway 15th Bureau Group Company Limited (Hong Kong Representative Office) (CR15); and Ng Koon-shing, 60, operator of Hanki Contractors (Hong Kong) & Associates Limited (Hanki), jointly face one count of conspiracy for an agent to accept an advantage, contrary to section 9(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance and section 159A of the Crimes Ordinance. The duo was released on ICAC bail, pending their appearance at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts on Thursday (September 5) for mention. The prosecution will apply for transferring the case to the District Court for plea.At the material time, Xu was the deputy general manager of CR15 responsible for overseeing the company’s construction projects in Hong Kong, while Ng was the operator of works subcontractor Hanki.Since May 2022, CR15 collaborated with another construction company to jointly manage a site formation and infrastructure works project of the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) in Tseung Kwan O. Xu, representing CR15, joined the management committee of the project to approve tenders submitted by subcontractors and handle relevant supervision matters.The charge alleges that between July and November 2022, Xu and Ng conspired together for Xu to agree to accept from Ng a bribe of $2 million for assisting Hanki to secure the slope and soil nail works subcontract under the aforesaid project (the contract).The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint. Enquiries revealed that Xu and Ng reached the relevant bribery agreement during the aforesaid period. It was also revealed that Hanki would not have been invited to bid for the works had it not been recommended to the management committee of the project by Xu. After Hanki’s submission of its tender for the contract, Xu had provided Hanki with his advice and assistance during the tendering exercise. However, since Hanki was not the lowest bidder, it was not awarded the contract.CR15 prohibited its staff from soliciting or accepting advantages in relation to the company’s business.The CEDD and CR15 rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case. 02
Sep 2024Woman charged by ICAC for allegedly offering RMB 2000 bribe to bank staff for reactivating accountThe ICAC today (September 2) charged a woman for allegedly offering a bribe of RMB 2,000 to a bank employee for assistance in reactivating her company’s bank account.LI Rong, 38, director and shareholder of Zhong Sheng Technology (Hongkong) Co. Limited (Zhong Sheng Technology), faces one count of offering an advantage to an agent, contrary to section 9(2)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance. She was released on ICAC bail, pending her appearance at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts on Wednesday (September 4) for plea.The investigation arose from a corruption complaint. Inquiries revealed that in 2013, the defendant opened a Business Integrated Account for Zhong Sheng Technology which she owned at the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC). As there were no transactions in the account for 10 consecutive months since 2015, the account was turned “dormant” in HSBC’s system.In July 2019, the defendant, through phone enquiry, learnt that the bank account was in “dormant” status. She then visited the HSBC Business Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui to reactivate the account. Since the defendant could not provide the required company documents, the procedures could not be completed on the same day. The defendant left the bank after exchanging contact information with the bank staff, and later left Hong Kong.It is alleged that on August 5, 2019, the defendant, through a communication application, offered RMB 2,000 to the aforesaid bank staff for assisting in the procedures to reactivate the account of Zhong Sheng Technology. The bank staff did not accept the offer and immediately reported the matter to her supervisor.The defendant was arrested in August 2024 when she came to Hong Kong again, and was charged by the ICAC this morning.HSBC rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.The ICAC reminds members of the public not to bribe bank staff for services. Should bank employees come across any suspicion of corruption, they should report the matter to the ICAC immediately. The ICAC collaborates closely with the banking industry and would take swift enforcement to uphold the public and stakeholders’ trust in Hong Kong’s banking system. The Community Relations Department has also produced a new educational video on bank account opening, which will be broadcast on different media platforms to remind members of the public not to breach the law. 28
Aug 2024Ex-manager of green wall installation company charged by ICAC guilty of business diversion fraudA former marketing manager of a green wall installation company, charged by the ICAC for diverting the company’s business to another company to which she was related through fraudulent means, was today (August 28) convicted of two counts of fraud at West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts.Lee Man-ling, 38, former marketing manager of Midori Creation International Limited (Midori), was found guilty of two counts of fraud, contrary to section 16A of the Theft Ordinance.The defendant was granted bail by Magistrate Mr Pang Leung-ting, and the case was adjourned to September 20 for sentence, pending a community service order report.The court heard that at the material time, the defendant was responsible for sourcing business for Midori, which specialised in green wall installation and maintenance services. She tendered her resignation in early October 2018 and left the company in early November the same year.In July 2018, the defendant provided a quotation of green wall installation to a client of Midori upon the latter’s request. In late October of the same year, the defendant falsely represented to the client that the company was going to rename to Plant Plant Holding Company Limited (Plant Plant) to cope with the business development. The defendant later submitted two quotations to that client under the name of Plant Plant, facilitating Plant Plant to obtain the service contract.In addition, during the business discussion process with another Midori’s client in October 2018, the defendant misled the client into engaging Plant Plant to provide the relevant service.The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint about the relevant service contracts. Inquiries revealed that Midori had never changed its name, and Plant Plant and Midori were two unrelated companies. It was also revealed that the defendant would join Plant Plant as marketing manager after leaving Midori. As the two aforementioned clients was misled by the defendant’s representation, they engaged Plant Plant to provide services and paid the company over $110,000 and about $50,000 respectively. Had the clients known that Midori and Plant Plant were unrelated, they would not have accepted Plant Plant’s quotations or engaged the company to provide services.Midori had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.The prosecution was today represented by prosecuting counsel Annie Lai, assisted by ICAC officer Cody Chung.