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Ethical Decision MakingRecent ICAC Cases
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May 2026Company director gets 32 months’ jail for using false passport to open bank accounts as revealed in ICAC graft probeA company director, charged by the ICAC, was today (May 15) sentenced to 32 months’ imprisonment at the District Court after being convicted of offences including obtaining services by deception, following a corruption investigation that revealed the defendant had used a false passport to open bank accounts.Fang Siyuan, 38, was earlier found guilty of two counts of obtaining services by deception after trial, contrary to section 18A(1) of the Theft Ordinance; and two counts of possession of a false or forged travel document, contrary to section 42(2)(c)(i) of the Immigration Ordinance.In sentencing, Deputy Judge Mr Ko Wai-hung remarked that the integrity of Hong Kong’s banking system must be protected. The court had to mete out a deterrent sentence to warn others against attempting similar money-laundering and illicit activities even though the defendant did not use certain bank accounts involved in this case.The court heard that the defendant met with staff from two banks in November 2020 and September 2021 respectively to apply for opening personal bank accounts. He falsely represented himself as Fong Tim, and presented a Mexican passport to the bank staff, signing the account application documents to confirm that the information provided was true and correct. Consequently, the defendant dishonestly obtained services from both banks and successfully opened eight accounts.The defendant was also convicted of possessing two false or forged travel documents: the abovementioned Mexican passport and a Canadian passport. The name and date of birth recorded on these false passports did not match the information shown on his other identity documents.The two banks concerned rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.The prosecution was today represented by prosecuting counsel John Marray, assisted by ICAC officer Eva Chan. 08
May 2026Property vendor charged by ICAC sentenced for offering bribe to estate agent for waiving agency commissionOne of the two property vendors, charged by the ICAC for offering a $30,000 bribe to an estate agent for waiving a $155,000 agency commission in relation to the sale of a residential property, was sentenced today (May 8) after entering a guilty plea at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts.Leung Kee-ming, 48, today pleaded guilty to one count of offering an advantage to an agent, contrary to section 9(2)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (POBO). He was sentenced by Principal Magistrate Mr Don So Man-lung to six months’ imprisonment, suspended for three years, fined $5,000.The court heard that at the material time, Leung engaged Centaline Property Agency Limited (Centaline Property) to sell a residential flat on Lantau Island. According to the estate agency agreement signed with Centaline Property, Leung agreed to pay one per cent of the property transaction sum as agency commission to Centaline Property upon successful transaction.After subsequently securing a potential buyer for the flat, an estate agent of Centaline Property informed Leung that an offer of $15.5 million had been made. Pursuant to the estate agency agreement, Leung was required to pay an agency commission of $155,000 to Centaline Property upon successful completion of the transaction. The estate agent subsequently arranged for Leung and the buyer to sign a preliminary sale and purchase agreement (the preliminary agreement) on December 24, 2023.Leung admitted that he offered a bribe of $30,000 to the estate agent on December 23, 2023, one day before the scheduled signing of the preliminary agreement, to waive the agency commission to be charged by Centaline Property for the property transaction.The estate agent rejected the bribe and reported the matter to Centaline Property on the same day. Centaline Property rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.Tse Wai-ling, 34, another property vendor in the present case, faced the charge of offering an advantage to an agent. No plea was entered when she appeared at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts today. The case was adjourned to July 3 for mention.The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Carson Lau. 07
May 2026Two years’ jail for then chairman of listed company charged by ICAC over $2.4m fraud involving inflated tax on saloon purchaseA then chairman of a listed company, charged by the ICAC, was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment at the District Court today (May 7) for deceiving the company into paying about $2.4 million by inflating the first registration tax on a saloon.Bruce Lee Chun-pong, 42, former executive director cum chairman of PF Group Holdings Limited (PF Group, now renamed as Gaoyu Finance Group Ltd), was earlier found guilty after trial of one count of fraud, contrary to section 16A of the Theft Ordinance.In sentencing, Deputy Judge Mr Colin Wong Sze-cheung reprimanded the defendant for breaching the trust placed in him as a listed company chairman at the material time. The difference of over $800,000, resulting from inflating the first registration tax on the saloon, was eventually deposited into a bank account held by his wife. The court ordered the defendant to pay the difference as compensation to PF Group.The ICAC investigation stemmed from a corruption complaint that revealed the offence. The court heard that at the material time, the defendant was purchasing a saloon for PF Group to promote its car loan business. In early 2021, the defendant made a false representation that the company was required to pay about $2.4 million as the first registration tax on the saloon. ICAC enquiries revealed that the relevant tax amount had been inflated by over $800,000. Subsequently, a bank account held by the defendant’s wife received a payment of over $800,000 made by the relevant car dealer.PF Group rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.The prosecution was today represented by prosecuting counsel Eddie Sean, assisted by ICAC officer Jenny Chan.The ICAC reminds executives of listed companies to comply with the law and uphold high standards of integrity to safeguard the interests of various stakeholders. The ICAC will continue to assist listed companies in enhancing their corruption prevention capabilities and corporate governance. For more details, please visit the “Ethics Promotion Programme for Listed Companies” webpage. 06
May 2026Six months’ jail for works contractor and employee charged by ICAC for bribery over Japanese chain stores’ renovation projectsA works contractor and his employee, charged by the ICAC, were both sentenced to six months’ imprisonment at the Kowloon City Magistrates’ Courts today (May 6) after being convicted of offering over $180,000 in bribes to an employee of a design consultancy to secure renovation projects for two Japanese chain stores valued at over $25 million in total. The design consultancy’s employee, who pleaded guilty, was earlier sentenced to three months’ imprisonment.Li Po-wah, 35, director cum shareholder of RNK Design and Engineering Company Limited (RNK); and Pang Wai-yin, 51, then site supervisor of RNK, were found guilty of one count of conspiracy for an agent to accept an advantage after trial, contrary to section 9(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance and section 159A of the Crimes Ordinance.In sentencing, Magistrate Mr Tsang Chung-yiu took a starting point of six months’ imprisonment, and imposed immediate custodial sentences on the defendants after hearing their mitigations.Co-defendant Pian Pang Ka-shin, 42, then marketing executive of K&C Creation Limited (KCL), had earlier pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy for an agent to accept an advantage, and was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment.The court heard that in 2019, KCL, a design consultancy, was awarded two renovation projects – one for the supermarket chain “Donki Japan” (Donki) store in Macao, and another for the drugstore chain “Tokyo Lifestyle” branch in Kowloon.At the material time, Pang Ka-shin was a marketing executive at KCL, responsible for co-ordinating with contractors and arranging tender exercises. She submitted quotations and tenders for the two renovation projects to KCL or Donki for selection.Between June 2019 and January 2022, Pang Ka-shin accepted bribes exceeding $180,000 from Li and Pang Wai-yin to assist RNK and another works contractor in securing the two renovation projects.Pang Ka-shin was assigned by KCL to assist Donki in managing the tender exercise and submitted five tenders for Donki’s consideration. Donki eventually awarded the project to the works contractor concerned and settled project fees totalling over $23.4 million upon completion of the works. Pang Ka-shin had earlier admitted that she provided advice to the works contractor regarding the tender interview.Regarding the renovation project for “Tokyo Lifestyle”, KCL received two quotations. Based on Pang Ka-shin’s recommendation, the contract was awarded to RNK. Upon completion of the works, KCL paid project fee of $1.7 million to RNK.KCL and Donki rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.The prosecution was today represented by prosecuting counsel Marco Li, assisted by ICAC officer Alex Lau. 05
May 2026Seven arrested by ICAC for alleged bribery for conniving at concealment of contractor’s dual role as consultant in grand maintenance projectsLast week (April 27 and 28), the ICAC conducted an enforcement action against a corruption syndicate specifically targeting grand maintenance projects of single-block buildings, arresting five men and two women, aged between 37 and 75, including the chairman of an Incorporated Owners (IO), the proprietor of a project contractor, and directors of a project consultancy firm and a registered inspector employed by the firm.The ICAC received a public complaint alleging possible corruption in the tender exercise for the grand maintenance project of a single-block composite building in Mong Kok. Investigations revealed that the arrested project contractor’s proprietor allegedly controlled the project consultancy firm through his associates, secured the consultancy contract for the grand maintenance project at a low price, and concealed his dual roles as project contractor and consultant, along with his conflicting interests during the tendering process, with intent to induce the IO to select his company as the project contractor.ICAC enquiries found that the project consultancy firm concerned did not declare its conflicting interests with the project contractor as required by the IO, while the IO chairman was suspected of bribery for conniving at the concealment. As property owners surmised irregularities in the tender exercise, the project contractor eventually failed to secure the $20 million works contract.It was also revealed in the ICAC investigation that the arrested registered inspector, who maintained a full-time job in the finance industry, might not have discharged her inspection duties in accordance with the Buildings Ordinance when signing Building Inspection Reports. The ICAC has referred the relevant inspection information in parallel to the Buildings Department for follow-up action.ICAC officers conducted searches at multiple locations, including the offices of the project consultancy firm and the project contractor, as well as residences of the arrestees, seizing relevant documents related to the grand maintenance projects and accounting records.It was revealed in the ICAC operation that the project consultancy firm and project contractor also concealed their relationship and conflicting interests in two other grand maintenance projects currently undergoing tender exercises – one in Tai Hang and another in Sham Shui Po – to secure contracts with a total contract sum of about $6 million. The ICAC successfully intercepted these illicit activities and reminded property owners of potential corruption risks during contract awards.As the relevant corruption investigation is ongoing, the ICAC does not rule out further enforcement actions.The ICAC urges members of the public and practitioners in the building management and maintenance industry to report suspected corruption to the ICAC immediately through its 24-hour hotline at 25 266 366.
May 2026Company director gets 32 months’ jail for using false passport to open bank accounts as revealed in ICAC graft probeA company director, charged by the ICAC, was today (May 15) sentenced to 32 months’ imprisonment at the District Court after being convicted of offences including obtaining services by deception, following a corruption investigation that revealed the defendant had used a false passport to open bank accounts.Fang Siyuan, 38, was earlier found guilty of two counts of obtaining services by deception after trial, contrary to section 18A(1) of the Theft Ordinance; and two counts of possession of a false or forged travel document, contrary to section 42(2)(c)(i) of the Immigration Ordinance.In sentencing, Deputy Judge Mr Ko Wai-hung remarked that the integrity of Hong Kong’s banking system must be protected. The court had to mete out a deterrent sentence to warn others against attempting similar money-laundering and illicit activities even though the defendant did not use certain bank accounts involved in this case.The court heard that the defendant met with staff from two banks in November 2020 and September 2021 respectively to apply for opening personal bank accounts. He falsely represented himself as Fong Tim, and presented a Mexican passport to the bank staff, signing the account application documents to confirm that the information provided was true and correct. Consequently, the defendant dishonestly obtained services from both banks and successfully opened eight accounts.The defendant was also convicted of possessing two false or forged travel documents: the abovementioned Mexican passport and a Canadian passport. The name and date of birth recorded on these false passports did not match the information shown on his other identity documents.The two banks concerned rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.The prosecution was today represented by prosecuting counsel John Marray, assisted by ICAC officer Eva Chan. 08
May 2026Property vendor charged by ICAC sentenced for offering bribe to estate agent for waiving agency commissionOne of the two property vendors, charged by the ICAC for offering a $30,000 bribe to an estate agent for waiving a $155,000 agency commission in relation to the sale of a residential property, was sentenced today (May 8) after entering a guilty plea at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts.Leung Kee-ming, 48, today pleaded guilty to one count of offering an advantage to an agent, contrary to section 9(2)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (POBO). He was sentenced by Principal Magistrate Mr Don So Man-lung to six months’ imprisonment, suspended for three years, fined $5,000.The court heard that at the material time, Leung engaged Centaline Property Agency Limited (Centaline Property) to sell a residential flat on Lantau Island. According to the estate agency agreement signed with Centaline Property, Leung agreed to pay one per cent of the property transaction sum as agency commission to Centaline Property upon successful transaction.After subsequently securing a potential buyer for the flat, an estate agent of Centaline Property informed Leung that an offer of $15.5 million had been made. Pursuant to the estate agency agreement, Leung was required to pay an agency commission of $155,000 to Centaline Property upon successful completion of the transaction. The estate agent subsequently arranged for Leung and the buyer to sign a preliminary sale and purchase agreement (the preliminary agreement) on December 24, 2023.Leung admitted that he offered a bribe of $30,000 to the estate agent on December 23, 2023, one day before the scheduled signing of the preliminary agreement, to waive the agency commission to be charged by Centaline Property for the property transaction.The estate agent rejected the bribe and reported the matter to Centaline Property on the same day. Centaline Property rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.Tse Wai-ling, 34, another property vendor in the present case, faced the charge of offering an advantage to an agent. No plea was entered when she appeared at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts today. The case was adjourned to July 3 for mention.The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Carson Lau. 07
May 2026Two years’ jail for then chairman of listed company charged by ICAC over $2.4m fraud involving inflated tax on saloon purchaseA then chairman of a listed company, charged by the ICAC, was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment at the District Court today (May 7) for deceiving the company into paying about $2.4 million by inflating the first registration tax on a saloon.Bruce Lee Chun-pong, 42, former executive director cum chairman of PF Group Holdings Limited (PF Group, now renamed as Gaoyu Finance Group Ltd), was earlier found guilty after trial of one count of fraud, contrary to section 16A of the Theft Ordinance.In sentencing, Deputy Judge Mr Colin Wong Sze-cheung reprimanded the defendant for breaching the trust placed in him as a listed company chairman at the material time. The difference of over $800,000, resulting from inflating the first registration tax on the saloon, was eventually deposited into a bank account held by his wife. The court ordered the defendant to pay the difference as compensation to PF Group.The ICAC investigation stemmed from a corruption complaint that revealed the offence. The court heard that at the material time, the defendant was purchasing a saloon for PF Group to promote its car loan business. In early 2021, the defendant made a false representation that the company was required to pay about $2.4 million as the first registration tax on the saloon. ICAC enquiries revealed that the relevant tax amount had been inflated by over $800,000. Subsequently, a bank account held by the defendant’s wife received a payment of over $800,000 made by the relevant car dealer.PF Group rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.The prosecution was today represented by prosecuting counsel Eddie Sean, assisted by ICAC officer Jenny Chan.The ICAC reminds executives of listed companies to comply with the law and uphold high standards of integrity to safeguard the interests of various stakeholders. The ICAC will continue to assist listed companies in enhancing their corruption prevention capabilities and corporate governance. For more details, please visit the “Ethics Promotion Programme for Listed Companies” webpage. 06
May 2026Six months’ jail for works contractor and employee charged by ICAC for bribery over Japanese chain stores’ renovation projectsA works contractor and his employee, charged by the ICAC, were both sentenced to six months’ imprisonment at the Kowloon City Magistrates’ Courts today (May 6) after being convicted of offering over $180,000 in bribes to an employee of a design consultancy to secure renovation projects for two Japanese chain stores valued at over $25 million in total. The design consultancy’s employee, who pleaded guilty, was earlier sentenced to three months’ imprisonment.Li Po-wah, 35, director cum shareholder of RNK Design and Engineering Company Limited (RNK); and Pang Wai-yin, 51, then site supervisor of RNK, were found guilty of one count of conspiracy for an agent to accept an advantage after trial, contrary to section 9(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance and section 159A of the Crimes Ordinance.In sentencing, Magistrate Mr Tsang Chung-yiu took a starting point of six months’ imprisonment, and imposed immediate custodial sentences on the defendants after hearing their mitigations.Co-defendant Pian Pang Ka-shin, 42, then marketing executive of K&C Creation Limited (KCL), had earlier pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy for an agent to accept an advantage, and was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment.The court heard that in 2019, KCL, a design consultancy, was awarded two renovation projects – one for the supermarket chain “Donki Japan” (Donki) store in Macao, and another for the drugstore chain “Tokyo Lifestyle” branch in Kowloon.At the material time, Pang Ka-shin was a marketing executive at KCL, responsible for co-ordinating with contractors and arranging tender exercises. She submitted quotations and tenders for the two renovation projects to KCL or Donki for selection.Between June 2019 and January 2022, Pang Ka-shin accepted bribes exceeding $180,000 from Li and Pang Wai-yin to assist RNK and another works contractor in securing the two renovation projects.Pang Ka-shin was assigned by KCL to assist Donki in managing the tender exercise and submitted five tenders for Donki’s consideration. Donki eventually awarded the project to the works contractor concerned and settled project fees totalling over $23.4 million upon completion of the works. Pang Ka-shin had earlier admitted that she provided advice to the works contractor regarding the tender interview.Regarding the renovation project for “Tokyo Lifestyle”, KCL received two quotations. Based on Pang Ka-shin’s recommendation, the contract was awarded to RNK. Upon completion of the works, KCL paid project fee of $1.7 million to RNK.KCL and Donki rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.The prosecution was today represented by prosecuting counsel Marco Li, assisted by ICAC officer Alex Lau. 05
May 2026Seven arrested by ICAC for alleged bribery for conniving at concealment of contractor’s dual role as consultant in grand maintenance projectsLast week (April 27 and 28), the ICAC conducted an enforcement action against a corruption syndicate specifically targeting grand maintenance projects of single-block buildings, arresting five men and two women, aged between 37 and 75, including the chairman of an Incorporated Owners (IO), the proprietor of a project contractor, and directors of a project consultancy firm and a registered inspector employed by the firm.The ICAC received a public complaint alleging possible corruption in the tender exercise for the grand maintenance project of a single-block composite building in Mong Kok. Investigations revealed that the arrested project contractor’s proprietor allegedly controlled the project consultancy firm through his associates, secured the consultancy contract for the grand maintenance project at a low price, and concealed his dual roles as project contractor and consultant, along with his conflicting interests during the tendering process, with intent to induce the IO to select his company as the project contractor.ICAC enquiries found that the project consultancy firm concerned did not declare its conflicting interests with the project contractor as required by the IO, while the IO chairman was suspected of bribery for conniving at the concealment. As property owners surmised irregularities in the tender exercise, the project contractor eventually failed to secure the $20 million works contract.It was also revealed in the ICAC investigation that the arrested registered inspector, who maintained a full-time job in the finance industry, might not have discharged her inspection duties in accordance with the Buildings Ordinance when signing Building Inspection Reports. The ICAC has referred the relevant inspection information in parallel to the Buildings Department for follow-up action.ICAC officers conducted searches at multiple locations, including the offices of the project consultancy firm and the project contractor, as well as residences of the arrestees, seizing relevant documents related to the grand maintenance projects and accounting records.It was revealed in the ICAC operation that the project consultancy firm and project contractor also concealed their relationship and conflicting interests in two other grand maintenance projects currently undergoing tender exercises – one in Tai Hang and another in Sham Shui Po – to secure contracts with a total contract sum of about $6 million. The ICAC successfully intercepted these illicit activities and reminded property owners of potential corruption risks during contract awards.As the relevant corruption investigation is ongoing, the ICAC does not rule out further enforcement actions.The ICAC urges members of the public and practitioners in the building management and maintenance industry to report suspected corruption to the ICAC immediately through its 24-hour hotline at 25 266 366.