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Aug 2023Ex-clerk charged by ICAC jailed for accepting $400,000 bribes from money exchange duo over $120m remittanceA then clerk of a handbag manufacturer, charged by the ICAC, was today (August 4) sentenced to eight months’ imprisonment at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts for accepting bribes totalling over $400,000 from two employees of a currency exchange company for causing the manufacturer to remit $120 million via the currency exchange company.Kung Hoi, 55, former clerk of Creaton Enterprises Limited (Creaton), earlier pleaded guilty to 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.In sentencing, Acting Principal Magistrate Miss Veronica Heung Shuk-han said she took a starting point of 12 months’ imprisonment and reduced the jail term of the defendant by one-third in view of his guilty plea. She also ordered the defendant to repay over $400,000, equivalent to the amount of bribes involved, as restitution to Creaton.The court heard that at the material time, the defendant was a clerk of Creaton, a handbag manufacturer. Among his duties was remitting funds to mainland bank accounts via currency exchange companies for Creaton’s business operation. Between May 2016 and August 2018, the defendant had conducted over 430 remittances involving a total of $120 million on behalf of Creaton through a branch of Hui’s Brothers Foreign Currency Exchange Company Limited (Hui’s Brothers).ICAC investigations revealed that remittances concerned were processed by a branch manager and a cashier of the above branch of Hui’s Brothers. The duo would arrange cash deposits, ranging from over $200 to over $20,000 each and totalling over $400,000, be made into the defendant’s bank account after handling a remittance for Creaton. The matter was revealed when Hui’s Brothers checked the books.Creaton did not allow its employees to accept advantages in relation to its business or affairs.Creaton and Hui’s Brothers had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case. As the relevant corruption investigation is continuing, the ICAC does not rule out further law enforcement actions.The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Johnny Yiu. 04
Aug 2023Ex-property manager and wife charged by ICAC for stealing $530,000 minor works payments of public housing estateA then senior property manager of a property management company and his wife were today (August 4) brought to the Kowloon City Magistrates’ Courts after being charged by the ICAC with stealing minor works payments of a public housing estate totalling over $530,000. The offence was revealed in the course of a corruption investigation by the Commission.Lee Ho-yin, 44, former senior property manager of Easy Living Consultant Limited (Easy Living), and his wife Bianca Ho Sin-wan, 42, were yesterday (August 3) jointly charged with one count of theft, contrary to section 9 of the Theft Ordinance.No plea was taken today. Principal Magistrate Mr Don So Man-lung adjourned the case to November 3 for mention. The defendants were granted bail.At the material time, Easy Living provided property management services to Lower Wong Tai Sin (2) Estate, a public housing estate. Lee was a senior property manager of Easy Living posted to the estate in charge of the services provided there.Easy Living operated a bank account for settling maintenance works and recurring expenses for the estate. To withdraw funds less than $60,000 from the bank account, joint signatures of two authorised signatories of the company were required. Lee was one of the authorised signatories.It was alleged that between September 2019 and September 2021, Lee and Ho stole sums totalling over $530,000 from the bank account.ICAC enquires revealed that during the abovementioned period, Easy Living issued 14 cheques payable to two contractors to settle various minor works payments. The 14 cheques in the sum ranging from about $14,000 to $50,000 each were eventually deposited into the personal bank accounts of the couple.Easy Living had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Patrick Yu.The ICAC makes efforts to promote integrity to property management companies and practitioners, such as launching a multi-year programme on professional ethics and Integrity, and producing educational materials to enhance practitioners’ awareness on corruption prevention. The Commission also provides tailor-made corruption prevention advice to property management companies so as to reduce risks of corruption and malpractices in their businesses. Property management companies could also refer to the toolkit on building financial management produced by the ICAC. 03
Aug 2023Ex-manager of fabric company charged as ICAC probe reveals $1m orders fraud and money launderingA former project manager of a fabric company was charged by the ICAC yesterday (August 2) with fraud for making false representations to cause three customers to place orders worth totalling about $1 million with two companies owned by his associates and laundering crime proceeds of about $720,000.Li Ka-wing, 51, former project manager of Showtex Hong Kong Limited (Showtex HK), faces three counts of fraud and one count of attempted fraud, contrary to section 16A of the Theft Ordinance and section 159G of the Crimes Ordinance.Li and co-defendant Zhao Bingguo, 40, operator of Maban Trading Co., Limited (Maban) further face five counts of dealing with property known or believed to represent proceeds of an indictable offence, contrary to section 25(1) of the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance.The defendants were released on ICAC bail, pending their appearance at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (August 4) for mention. The prosecution will apply for transferring the case to the District Court for plea.Li was a project manager of Showtex HK responsible for sourcing business for it when the alleged offences took place between June 2018 and April 2019. Showtex HK supplied flame retardant curtain fabrics, installed stage projection screen and provided event decoration services.It is alleged that Li, with intent to defraud, separately induced or attempted to induce three customers of ShowtexHK to place orders with Maban and another company by making false representations that Maban and that company were subcontractors of Showtex HK, dealt with the same factory with Showtex HK or Showtex HK was unable to do the processing works in relation to the relevant fabric.The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint. Enquires revealed that Maban and that company were not subcontractors of Showtex HK and they had no dealings with Showtex HK and its factory. The orders placed by the three customers worth totalling about $1 million. Enquiries also revealed that Li arranged Showtex HK to take up most of the items in the orders through fraudulent means.Investigation revealed that Maban and that company respectively engaged in knife trading and multimedia businesses. Zhao and the operator of that company were former employees of Showtex HK.Li and Zhao also allegedly dealt with crime proceeds of about $720,000, which was out of the above $1 million.Showtex HK has rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case. 02
Aug 2023Ex-manager of interior design firm admits $3.5m fraud and theft revealed by ICAC probeA former manager of an interior design and renovation company, charged by the ICAC, today (August 2) at the District Court admitted fraud and theft involving a total of over $3.5 million which were revealed in the course of a corruption investigation by the Commission.Amy Mak Man-yee, 45, former administration and account manager of Hei Design Limited (Hei Design), pleaded guilty to a total of 18 charges – eight of fraud and 10 of theft, respectively contrary to section 16A and section 9 of the Theft Ordinance. Another similar charge of fraud against her was left on file at the District Court.Judge Ms Kathie Cheung Kit-yee adjourned the case to August 8 for sentence. The defendant was remanded in the custody of the Correctional Services Department.Hei Design was an interior design and renovation company. At the material time, the defendant was responsible for the company’s daily accounting work, including preparing cheques for her employer to sign so as to arrange payments to its suppliers and contractors.The court heard that between April 2017 and April 2019, the defendant had falsely represented to her employer on eight occasions that 20 cheques prepared by her were payable to a furniture supplier and two decoration contractors of Hei Design.As a result, the defendant’s employer signed on the 20 cheques involving sums totalling about $1.8 million. ICAC investigation revealed that the cheques were subsequently deposited into the defendant’s own bank accounts or used to pay decoration and furniture purchase fees for her two companies.In addition, during the above period, the defendant had also stolen 10 sums of money totalling over $1.7 million from Hei Design by depositing 10 other cheques into her bank account. ICAC enquiries revealed that the defendant’s employer was the sole signatory of all bank accounts of the company, but the 10 cheques were not signed by him.Hei Design had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.The prosecution was today represented by prosecuting counsel Wong Hay-yiu, assisted by ICAC officer Andy Yip. 01
Aug 2023Man charged by ICAC jailed for 13 months over $350,000 wage fraud and money launderingIn the course of a corruption investigation by the ICAC, it was revealed that a man and his father, who was a supervisor of a cleaning contractor, had defraud the contractor of wages totalling about $350,000 in around two and a half years by falsifying attendance records. The cleaning worker, who withdrew over $300,000 from the wages, was today (August 1) sentenced to 13 months imprisonment at the District Court for money laundering.Louis Yip Wai-lok, 25, who is reportedly a cleaning worker of ISS Facility Services Limited (ISS), was found guilty of one count of dealing with property known or believed to represent proceeds of an indictable offence, contrary to Section 25(1) of the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance.In sentencing, Judge Mr Ernest Lin Kam-hung said he took a starting point of 15 months’ imprisonment and reduced the jail term by two months after taking into account various factors, including Louis Yip’s clear record.The court heard that at the material time, Louis Yip’s father, Yip Hong-yau, was a supervisor of ISS, which was a cleaning services contractor of a commercial building in Central. Yip Hong-yau was responsible for recruiting and supervising cleaning workers. In December 2017, Yip Hong-yau registered for Louis Yip to join ISS as a cleaning worker reportedly posted to the building.Between December 2017 and June 2020, Yip Hong-yau falsely represented to ISS that the attendance records of Louis Yip accurately reflected his working hours. As a result, ISS paid wages totalling about $350,000 to Louis Yip through bank transfer. He subsequently withdrew over $300,000 from it.The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint. Enquiries revealed that at the material time, Louis Yip had worked as a full-time employee in a restaurant in Tsim Sha Tsui or a property management company in Cheung Sha Wan, but he had never performed cleaning duties at the commercial building in the case. Had ISS known that Louis Yip did not work at the building as stated on the attendance records, it would not have released the wage payments to him.Co-defendant Yip Hong-yau, pleaded guilty to one count of fraud yesterday (July 31). He was sentenced to a jail term of 15 months.ISS had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.The prosecution was today represented by Senior Public Prosecutor Steven Liu, assisted by ICAC officer Jonathan Ng.
Aug 2023Ex-clerk charged by ICAC jailed for accepting $400,000 bribes from money exchange duo over $120m remittanceA then clerk of a handbag manufacturer, charged by the ICAC, was today (August 4) sentenced to eight months’ imprisonment at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts for accepting bribes totalling over $400,000 from two employees of a currency exchange company for causing the manufacturer to remit $120 million via the currency exchange company.Kung Hoi, 55, former clerk of Creaton Enterprises Limited (Creaton), earlier pleaded guilty to 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.In sentencing, Acting Principal Magistrate Miss Veronica Heung Shuk-han said she took a starting point of 12 months’ imprisonment and reduced the jail term of the defendant by one-third in view of his guilty plea. She also ordered the defendant to repay over $400,000, equivalent to the amount of bribes involved, as restitution to Creaton.The court heard that at the material time, the defendant was a clerk of Creaton, a handbag manufacturer. Among his duties was remitting funds to mainland bank accounts via currency exchange companies for Creaton’s business operation. Between May 2016 and August 2018, the defendant had conducted over 430 remittances involving a total of $120 million on behalf of Creaton through a branch of Hui’s Brothers Foreign Currency Exchange Company Limited (Hui’s Brothers).ICAC investigations revealed that remittances concerned were processed by a branch manager and a cashier of the above branch of Hui’s Brothers. The duo would arrange cash deposits, ranging from over $200 to over $20,000 each and totalling over $400,000, be made into the defendant’s bank account after handling a remittance for Creaton. The matter was revealed when Hui’s Brothers checked the books.Creaton did not allow its employees to accept advantages in relation to its business or affairs.Creaton and Hui’s Brothers had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case. As the relevant corruption investigation is continuing, the ICAC does not rule out further law enforcement actions.The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Johnny Yiu. 04
Aug 2023Ex-property manager and wife charged by ICAC for stealing $530,000 minor works payments of public housing estateA then senior property manager of a property management company and his wife were today (August 4) brought to the Kowloon City Magistrates’ Courts after being charged by the ICAC with stealing minor works payments of a public housing estate totalling over $530,000. The offence was revealed in the course of a corruption investigation by the Commission.Lee Ho-yin, 44, former senior property manager of Easy Living Consultant Limited (Easy Living), and his wife Bianca Ho Sin-wan, 42, were yesterday (August 3) jointly charged with one count of theft, contrary to section 9 of the Theft Ordinance.No plea was taken today. Principal Magistrate Mr Don So Man-lung adjourned the case to November 3 for mention. The defendants were granted bail.At the material time, Easy Living provided property management services to Lower Wong Tai Sin (2) Estate, a public housing estate. Lee was a senior property manager of Easy Living posted to the estate in charge of the services provided there.Easy Living operated a bank account for settling maintenance works and recurring expenses for the estate. To withdraw funds less than $60,000 from the bank account, joint signatures of two authorised signatories of the company were required. Lee was one of the authorised signatories.It was alleged that between September 2019 and September 2021, Lee and Ho stole sums totalling over $530,000 from the bank account.ICAC enquires revealed that during the abovementioned period, Easy Living issued 14 cheques payable to two contractors to settle various minor works payments. The 14 cheques in the sum ranging from about $14,000 to $50,000 each were eventually deposited into the personal bank accounts of the couple.Easy Living had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Patrick Yu.The ICAC makes efforts to promote integrity to property management companies and practitioners, such as launching a multi-year programme on professional ethics and Integrity, and producing educational materials to enhance practitioners’ awareness on corruption prevention. The Commission also provides tailor-made corruption prevention advice to property management companies so as to reduce risks of corruption and malpractices in their businesses. Property management companies could also refer to the toolkit on building financial management produced by the ICAC. 03
Aug 2023Ex-manager of fabric company charged as ICAC probe reveals $1m orders fraud and money launderingA former project manager of a fabric company was charged by the ICAC yesterday (August 2) with fraud for making false representations to cause three customers to place orders worth totalling about $1 million with two companies owned by his associates and laundering crime proceeds of about $720,000.Li Ka-wing, 51, former project manager of Showtex Hong Kong Limited (Showtex HK), faces three counts of fraud and one count of attempted fraud, contrary to section 16A of the Theft Ordinance and section 159G of the Crimes Ordinance.Li and co-defendant Zhao Bingguo, 40, operator of Maban Trading Co., Limited (Maban) further face five counts of dealing with property known or believed to represent proceeds of an indictable offence, contrary to section 25(1) of the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance.The defendants were released on ICAC bail, pending their appearance at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (August 4) for mention. The prosecution will apply for transferring the case to the District Court for plea.Li was a project manager of Showtex HK responsible for sourcing business for it when the alleged offences took place between June 2018 and April 2019. Showtex HK supplied flame retardant curtain fabrics, installed stage projection screen and provided event decoration services.It is alleged that Li, with intent to defraud, separately induced or attempted to induce three customers of ShowtexHK to place orders with Maban and another company by making false representations that Maban and that company were subcontractors of Showtex HK, dealt with the same factory with Showtex HK or Showtex HK was unable to do the processing works in relation to the relevant fabric.The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint. Enquires revealed that Maban and that company were not subcontractors of Showtex HK and they had no dealings with Showtex HK and its factory. The orders placed by the three customers worth totalling about $1 million. Enquiries also revealed that Li arranged Showtex HK to take up most of the items in the orders through fraudulent means.Investigation revealed that Maban and that company respectively engaged in knife trading and multimedia businesses. Zhao and the operator of that company were former employees of Showtex HK.Li and Zhao also allegedly dealt with crime proceeds of about $720,000, which was out of the above $1 million.Showtex HK has rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case. 02
Aug 2023Ex-manager of interior design firm admits $3.5m fraud and theft revealed by ICAC probeA former manager of an interior design and renovation company, charged by the ICAC, today (August 2) at the District Court admitted fraud and theft involving a total of over $3.5 million which were revealed in the course of a corruption investigation by the Commission.Amy Mak Man-yee, 45, former administration and account manager of Hei Design Limited (Hei Design), pleaded guilty to a total of 18 charges – eight of fraud and 10 of theft, respectively contrary to section 16A and section 9 of the Theft Ordinance. Another similar charge of fraud against her was left on file at the District Court.Judge Ms Kathie Cheung Kit-yee adjourned the case to August 8 for sentence. The defendant was remanded in the custody of the Correctional Services Department.Hei Design was an interior design and renovation company. At the material time, the defendant was responsible for the company’s daily accounting work, including preparing cheques for her employer to sign so as to arrange payments to its suppliers and contractors.The court heard that between April 2017 and April 2019, the defendant had falsely represented to her employer on eight occasions that 20 cheques prepared by her were payable to a furniture supplier and two decoration contractors of Hei Design.As a result, the defendant’s employer signed on the 20 cheques involving sums totalling about $1.8 million. ICAC investigation revealed that the cheques were subsequently deposited into the defendant’s own bank accounts or used to pay decoration and furniture purchase fees for her two companies.In addition, during the above period, the defendant had also stolen 10 sums of money totalling over $1.7 million from Hei Design by depositing 10 other cheques into her bank account. ICAC enquiries revealed that the defendant’s employer was the sole signatory of all bank accounts of the company, but the 10 cheques were not signed by him.Hei Design had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.The prosecution was today represented by prosecuting counsel Wong Hay-yiu, assisted by ICAC officer Andy Yip. 01
Aug 2023Man charged by ICAC jailed for 13 months over $350,000 wage fraud and money launderingIn the course of a corruption investigation by the ICAC, it was revealed that a man and his father, who was a supervisor of a cleaning contractor, had defraud the contractor of wages totalling about $350,000 in around two and a half years by falsifying attendance records. The cleaning worker, who withdrew over $300,000 from the wages, was today (August 1) sentenced to 13 months imprisonment at the District Court for money laundering.Louis Yip Wai-lok, 25, who is reportedly a cleaning worker of ISS Facility Services Limited (ISS), was found guilty of one count of dealing with property known or believed to represent proceeds of an indictable offence, contrary to Section 25(1) of the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance.In sentencing, Judge Mr Ernest Lin Kam-hung said he took a starting point of 15 months’ imprisonment and reduced the jail term by two months after taking into account various factors, including Louis Yip’s clear record.The court heard that at the material time, Louis Yip’s father, Yip Hong-yau, was a supervisor of ISS, which was a cleaning services contractor of a commercial building in Central. Yip Hong-yau was responsible for recruiting and supervising cleaning workers. In December 2017, Yip Hong-yau registered for Louis Yip to join ISS as a cleaning worker reportedly posted to the building.Between December 2017 and June 2020, Yip Hong-yau falsely represented to ISS that the attendance records of Louis Yip accurately reflected his working hours. As a result, ISS paid wages totalling about $350,000 to Louis Yip through bank transfer. He subsequently withdrew over $300,000 from it.The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint. Enquiries revealed that at the material time, Louis Yip had worked as a full-time employee in a restaurant in Tsim Sha Tsui or a property management company in Cheung Sha Wan, but he had never performed cleaning duties at the commercial building in the case. Had ISS known that Louis Yip did not work at the building as stated on the attendance records, it would not have released the wage payments to him.Co-defendant Yip Hong-yau, pleaded guilty to one count of fraud yesterday (July 31). He was sentenced to a jail term of 15 months.ISS had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.The prosecution was today represented by Senior Public Prosecutor Steven Liu, assisted by ICAC officer Jonathan Ng.