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May 2025ICAC operation ‘War Drum’ uncovers bribery and fraudulent claims over lax supervision of steel reinforcement works and conniving at works deviations at residential construction siteIn a recent law enforcement operation codenamed “War Drum”, the ICAC uncovered corruption and fraudulent claims of inspections at a construction site of a residential project in Kwun Tong. During the operation, ICAC officers arrested 10 men, aged between 29 and 52. They were alleged to have bribed an employee of the main contractor and resident site supervision staff of an engineering consultancy firm, who were responsible for overseeing the construction works of the project, for lax supervision of steel reinforcement works carried out by subcontractors, as well as conniving at works deviated from the building plans.Among the 10 arrestees were an employee of the main contractor and five proprietors, operators or employees of subcontractors. The remaining four arrestees were resident site supervision staff of the consultancy firm. They had allegedly committed offences including bribery, conspiracy to defraud and using false documents.Various premises were searched by ICAC officers in the operation, including the construction site concerned, the offices of the main contractor, subcontractors and engineering consultancy firm, as well as residences of the arrestees. A large number of relevant works documents were seized, such as procurement documents of construction materials, workers’ salary payment records and inspection reports on works quality.The construction site involved in the present case is a private residential project at Anderson Road, Kwun Tong, which is still under construction. The developer has been ordered by the Buildings Department (BD) to suspend construction works.The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint. Enquiries revealed that, to maximize profits and save costs, subcontractors of steel reinforcement work of the project had allowed their works to deviate from the building plans approved by BD (the approved building plans) during the construction process. The subcontractors also offered bribes to an employee of the main contractor and resident site supervision staff of the consultancy firm in exchange for their lax supervision of the steel reinforcement works and allowing them to continue with the works without complying with the requirements of the approved building plans.On various occasions, the steel reinforcement works subcontractors concerned had allegedly offered to an employee of the main contractor and resident site supervision staff of the consultancy firm “sweeteners”, including bribe money, gifts as well as payments for lavish entertainment expenses.Registered contractors and registered building professionals have their respective statutory duties, as well as the overall responsibility in relation to works quality, construction and safety supervision. They and their resident site supervision staff should, upon the request of the developer and in accordance with legal requirements, conduct quality inspections of the steel reinforcement works, and complete and sign on designated forms for record-keeping to confirm the compliance of quality standard for proceeding to the next stage of worksThe resident site supervision staff of the consultancy firm concerned had allegedly accepted bribes and falsely represented in the designated forms of the developer that they had conducted quality inspections of the steel reinforcement works, thereby misleading the developer into believing that the works were properly completed.ICAC enquires found that steel reinforcement works at various locations of the construction site showed varying degrees of deviations from the approved building plans. Such deviations were in relation to the number, spacing, thickness and positions of the steel reinforcement bars. The investigation also found that the numbers of steel bars and bar-benders deployed by some of the subcontractors were reduced.As ICAC enquiries are ongoing, further law enforcement actions will not be ruled out.In view of the present case, in addition to stringent enforcement action, the ICAC has further strengthened relevant prevention and education initiatives. The ICAC has been working closely with BD and the industry to carry out corruption prevention measures targeting new private building projects, including corruption prevention reviews and advisory services, to enhance the capabilities of systematic prevention of corruption. Such include enhancing the effectiveness of project supervision by using technology, as well as strengthening integrity requirements of practitioners and punishment mechanisms. In view of the present law enforcement operation, the ICAC’s Corruption Prevention Department will set up a special task force comprising staff possessing professional qualifications, including engineers, surveyors and other professionals of the industry, to review the relevant construction and site supervision procedures and eliminate corruption loopholes. The ICAC will continue to promote and monitor the implementation of those advices.The ICAC is committed to upholding integrity in the construction industry and will provide continuous support and integrity training for construction professionals to deepen their understanding of the anti-corruption law and corruption risks. Through the “Construction Industry Integrity Charter” initiative, the ICAC strives to raise the awareness of corruption prevention and reinforce integrity management, thereby fostering a culture of integrity in the construction industry.The Development Bureau, the BD and the developer concerned rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case. 09
May 2025Director of aesthetic medical centre charged by ICAC for swindling $5.8m and misappropriating $3.1mThe ICAC yesterday (May 8) charged a director of an aesthetic medical centre for allegedly deceiving a shareholder into investing a total of $5.8 million in its business by inflating expenses in purchasing aesthetic medical equipment and renovations, and misappropriating company funds of over $3.1 million.Lau Sin-wah, 31, director and shareholder of ScR Dr. Pro Holdings Limited (ScR Dr. Pro), faces three charges – one of theft, one of fraud and one of attempted fraud, contrary to sections 9 and 16A (1) of the Theft Ordinance, and section 159G of the Crimes Ordinance.The defendant was released on ICAC bail, pending her appearance at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts next Monday (May 12) for mention. The prosecution will later apply to transfer the case to the District Court for plea.The offences occurred between May and September 2022. During the period, the defendant, who was an artist, was starting up an aesthetic medical business with a woman. Upon the invitation of the defendant, another artist agreed to invest $5 million in the business and became one of the shareholders of ScR Dr. Pro. The defendant and the woman, both directors of the company, were responsible for its operation, including setting up an aesthetic medical centre.Two of the charges allege that the defendant had stolen over $3.1 million invested by the artist-and-shareholder in ScR Dr. Pro; and falsely represented to the latter that various sums totalling over $3 million had been properly used in ScR Dr. Pro for purchasing aesthetic medical equipment, and with intent to defraud, induced the latter not to demand return of her investment.The remaining charge alleges that the defendant had falsely represented to the artist-and-shareholder that ScR Dr. Pro had incurred renovation expenses of $1.68 million, leading to use up of the company’s funds, and attempted to deceive the latter into making a further payment of $800,000 for advertisement expenses.The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint. Enquiries revealed that various receipts in relation to the expenses claimed to be used in purchasing aesthetic medical equipment and renovation of the centre were inflated. It was also suspected that company funds of ScR Dr. Pro misappropriated by the defendant were used for personal purposes by herself and her family members. 08
May 2025Logistics company’s coordinator charged by ICAC admits $9.1m air cargo space orders fraud over conflicting interestA former coordinator of a logistics company, charged by the ICAC, today (May 8) admitted at the District Court that he had deceived his then employer into placing air cargo space orders worth totalling over $9.1 million with carriers’ agents via two intermediaries associated with him for personal gain of over $1.2 million in total by concealing his conflicting interest.Wong Wing-ho, 42, former airfreight and business development coordinator of MBS Logistics Limited (MBS), today pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud, contrary to section 16A of the Theft Ordinance.Deputy Judge Miss Ivy Chui Yee-mei adjourned the case to May 22 for sentence and remanded the defendant in the custody of the Correctional Services Department.The court heard that MBS was a local subsidiary of MBS Logistics Group, a worldwide logistics company which provided logistic services to its clients including placing air cargo space orders through different carriers’ agents. At the material time, the defendant was responsible for seeking quotations from carriers’ agents for clients, arranging delivery of clients’ goods to the agents, and submitting invoices of carriers’ agents to MBS for payment approval.The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint. Enquiries revealed that between March 2016 and June 2019, the defendant had recommended MBS to place over 430 air cargo space orders with a carriers’ agent via two intermediaries, namely JTC Development Limited (JTC) and AK Logistics Limited (AKL), and to make payments totalling over $9.1 million to the two intermediaries.Enquiries by the ICAC found that the defendant and his family members had financial interests in JTC, which was set up by connected persons of the defendant, while company chop, cheque book and other company documents of JTC were seized by ICAC officers from the defendant’s residence.The investigation also revealed that it was agreed between the defendant and AKL that multilayer arrangements could be made for MBS to place orders with the carriers’ agent through JTC via AKL. In return, the defendant would pay a handling charge of around $50 to $100 per order to AKL.The defendant had made a personal gain of over $1.2 million in total out of the scam, but he had never disclosed to MBS his interests in JTC and his agreement with AKL over the orders.MBS rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.The prosecution was today represented by Senior Public Prosecutor Jason Lau, assisted by ICAC officers Raymond Lai and Jennifer Lee.The ICAC advises business organisations to establish clear guidelines and systems of declaration on 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. 08
May 2025Imported site team leader of airport expansion works charged by ICAC gets four and a half months’ jail for accepting bribes from workersAn imported site team leader of Terminal 2 expansion works of the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), charged by the ICAC with accepting bribes from eight imported workers over their employment, was today (May 8) sentenced to four and a half months’ imprisonment at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts.At the material time, Wang Zhenzhong, 36, was an imported site team leader employed by Gammon Construction Limited (Gammon). He earlier pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy for an agent to accept advantages, contrary to section 9(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance and section 159A of the Crimes Ordinance, and was ordered to pay Gammon a restitution of $35,100, equivalent to the amount of bribes he received in the present case.In sentencing, Magistrate Mr Gary Chu Man-hon today remarked that he took a starting point of nine months’ imprisonment, and reduced the jail term of the defendant to four and a half months, having considered his guilty plea and restitution made to Gammon.The court heard that Gammon was the main contractor for the Terminal 2 expansion works of the HKIA. Due to labour shortage in the construction industry, Gammon applied for importation quota through the Development Bureau’s Labour Importation Scheme for Construction Sector for its subcontractors. The employment contracts stipulated that the monthly salary of the imported workers was $31,200.At the material time, the defendant was responsible for leading eight imported workers to work at the Terminal 2 expansion works project under the supervision of a subcontractor. The ICAC investigation stemmed from a corruption complaint. Enquires revealed that between April and October 2024, the defendant conspired together with a middleman to accept bribes from eight imported workers for assisting them to continue their employment with Gammon.It was revealed that the middleman told the workers that they were only entitled to a monthly salary of $20,000, and the defendant collected the salary differences for the middleman. The eight workers acceded to the defendant’s illicit solicitations for fear of losing their jobs. At the material time, the defendant had accepted bribes of over $35,000 from one of the workers.An ICAC spokesperson notes that to enhance imported workers’ understanding of Hong Kong’s anti-corruption laws, the ICAC would arrange corruption prevention talks for them within eight weeks of their arrival. The Commission will continue to disseminate anti-corruption messages through different channels.The ICAC does not tolerate corruption and will continue to collaborate with the Development Bureau and other stakeholders to prevent similar crimes. Should construction workers be asked to pay bribes in exchange for their employment, they should reject and report to the ICAC immediately. The ICAC’s report corruption hotline: 25 266 366.Gammon rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Nicky Wong. 07
May 2025Three property agents charged by ICAC over bribes-for-divulging property vendors’ informationA property agent and two directors of another property agency were charged by the ICAC today (May 7) for allegedly offering and accepting bribes totalling $32,500 for divulging information of property vendors to promote services of the property agency.The defendants are Kong Ka-shing, 27, property agent of Midland Realty International Limited (Midland Realty); Tong Hei-yi, 31; and Chau Ting-fung, 42, both directors-cum-shareholders of Kashing Property (Corp) Limited (Kashing Property).The trio 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.Kong further faces one count of access to computer with criminal or dishonest intent, contrary to Section 161(1)(c) of the Crimes Ordinance.The three defendants were released on ICAC bail, pending their appearance at the Shatin Magistrates’ Courts on Friday (May 9) for mention.At the material time, Kong was posted to a branch of Midland Realty in Shatin, and Tong and Chau were directors-cum-shareholders of Kashing Property, a property agency providing property agency services in Taipo and nearby areas.One of the charges alleges that between May and October 2022, the three defendants conspired with others for Kong to accept $32,500 from individuals including Tong and Chau to assist those individuals or Kashing Property to obtain client information of Midland Realty.Another charge alleges that Kong obtained access to a computer operated by Midland Realty with a view to dishonest gain when working at the Shatin branch of Midland Realty during the abovementioned period.The ICAC investigation stemmed from a corruption complaint. Enquiries revealed that in the six months when the offences occurred, Kong was suspected of accepting several thousand dollars per month from Kashing Property for retrieving the information of property vendors, including their surnames, phone numbers and property addresses, from the database of Midland Realty, and passing over 1,000 records of property vendors to individuals including Tong and Chau for Kashing Property to promote its services.Midland Realty rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
May 2025ICAC operation ‘War Drum’ uncovers bribery and fraudulent claims over lax supervision of steel reinforcement works and conniving at works deviations at residential construction siteIn a recent law enforcement operation codenamed “War Drum”, the ICAC uncovered corruption and fraudulent claims of inspections at a construction site of a residential project in Kwun Tong. During the operation, ICAC officers arrested 10 men, aged between 29 and 52. They were alleged to have bribed an employee of the main contractor and resident site supervision staff of an engineering consultancy firm, who were responsible for overseeing the construction works of the project, for lax supervision of steel reinforcement works carried out by subcontractors, as well as conniving at works deviated from the building plans.Among the 10 arrestees were an employee of the main contractor and five proprietors, operators or employees of subcontractors. The remaining four arrestees were resident site supervision staff of the consultancy firm. They had allegedly committed offences including bribery, conspiracy to defraud and using false documents.Various premises were searched by ICAC officers in the operation, including the construction site concerned, the offices of the main contractor, subcontractors and engineering consultancy firm, as well as residences of the arrestees. A large number of relevant works documents were seized, such as procurement documents of construction materials, workers’ salary payment records and inspection reports on works quality.The construction site involved in the present case is a private residential project at Anderson Road, Kwun Tong, which is still under construction. The developer has been ordered by the Buildings Department (BD) to suspend construction works.The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint. Enquiries revealed that, to maximize profits and save costs, subcontractors of steel reinforcement work of the project had allowed their works to deviate from the building plans approved by BD (the approved building plans) during the construction process. The subcontractors also offered bribes to an employee of the main contractor and resident site supervision staff of the consultancy firm in exchange for their lax supervision of the steel reinforcement works and allowing them to continue with the works without complying with the requirements of the approved building plans.On various occasions, the steel reinforcement works subcontractors concerned had allegedly offered to an employee of the main contractor and resident site supervision staff of the consultancy firm “sweeteners”, including bribe money, gifts as well as payments for lavish entertainment expenses.Registered contractors and registered building professionals have their respective statutory duties, as well as the overall responsibility in relation to works quality, construction and safety supervision. They and their resident site supervision staff should, upon the request of the developer and in accordance with legal requirements, conduct quality inspections of the steel reinforcement works, and complete and sign on designated forms for record-keeping to confirm the compliance of quality standard for proceeding to the next stage of worksThe resident site supervision staff of the consultancy firm concerned had allegedly accepted bribes and falsely represented in the designated forms of the developer that they had conducted quality inspections of the steel reinforcement works, thereby misleading the developer into believing that the works were properly completed.ICAC enquires found that steel reinforcement works at various locations of the construction site showed varying degrees of deviations from the approved building plans. Such deviations were in relation to the number, spacing, thickness and positions of the steel reinforcement bars. The investigation also found that the numbers of steel bars and bar-benders deployed by some of the subcontractors were reduced.As ICAC enquiries are ongoing, further law enforcement actions will not be ruled out.In view of the present case, in addition to stringent enforcement action, the ICAC has further strengthened relevant prevention and education initiatives. The ICAC has been working closely with BD and the industry to carry out corruption prevention measures targeting new private building projects, including corruption prevention reviews and advisory services, to enhance the capabilities of systematic prevention of corruption. Such include enhancing the effectiveness of project supervision by using technology, as well as strengthening integrity requirements of practitioners and punishment mechanisms. In view of the present law enforcement operation, the ICAC’s Corruption Prevention Department will set up a special task force comprising staff possessing professional qualifications, including engineers, surveyors and other professionals of the industry, to review the relevant construction and site supervision procedures and eliminate corruption loopholes. The ICAC will continue to promote and monitor the implementation of those advices.The ICAC is committed to upholding integrity in the construction industry and will provide continuous support and integrity training for construction professionals to deepen their understanding of the anti-corruption law and corruption risks. Through the “Construction Industry Integrity Charter” initiative, the ICAC strives to raise the awareness of corruption prevention and reinforce integrity management, thereby fostering a culture of integrity in the construction industry.The Development Bureau, the BD and the developer concerned rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case. 09
May 2025Director of aesthetic medical centre charged by ICAC for swindling $5.8m and misappropriating $3.1mThe ICAC yesterday (May 8) charged a director of an aesthetic medical centre for allegedly deceiving a shareholder into investing a total of $5.8 million in its business by inflating expenses in purchasing aesthetic medical equipment and renovations, and misappropriating company funds of over $3.1 million.Lau Sin-wah, 31, director and shareholder of ScR Dr. Pro Holdings Limited (ScR Dr. Pro), faces three charges – one of theft, one of fraud and one of attempted fraud, contrary to sections 9 and 16A (1) of the Theft Ordinance, and section 159G of the Crimes Ordinance.The defendant was released on ICAC bail, pending her appearance at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts next Monday (May 12) for mention. The prosecution will later apply to transfer the case to the District Court for plea.The offences occurred between May and September 2022. During the period, the defendant, who was an artist, was starting up an aesthetic medical business with a woman. Upon the invitation of the defendant, another artist agreed to invest $5 million in the business and became one of the shareholders of ScR Dr. Pro. The defendant and the woman, both directors of the company, were responsible for its operation, including setting up an aesthetic medical centre.Two of the charges allege that the defendant had stolen over $3.1 million invested by the artist-and-shareholder in ScR Dr. Pro; and falsely represented to the latter that various sums totalling over $3 million had been properly used in ScR Dr. Pro for purchasing aesthetic medical equipment, and with intent to defraud, induced the latter not to demand return of her investment.The remaining charge alleges that the defendant had falsely represented to the artist-and-shareholder that ScR Dr. Pro had incurred renovation expenses of $1.68 million, leading to use up of the company’s funds, and attempted to deceive the latter into making a further payment of $800,000 for advertisement expenses.The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint. Enquiries revealed that various receipts in relation to the expenses claimed to be used in purchasing aesthetic medical equipment and renovation of the centre were inflated. It was also suspected that company funds of ScR Dr. Pro misappropriated by the defendant were used for personal purposes by herself and her family members. 08
May 2025Logistics company’s coordinator charged by ICAC admits $9.1m air cargo space orders fraud over conflicting interestA former coordinator of a logistics company, charged by the ICAC, today (May 8) admitted at the District Court that he had deceived his then employer into placing air cargo space orders worth totalling over $9.1 million with carriers’ agents via two intermediaries associated with him for personal gain of over $1.2 million in total by concealing his conflicting interest.Wong Wing-ho, 42, former airfreight and business development coordinator of MBS Logistics Limited (MBS), today pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud, contrary to section 16A of the Theft Ordinance.Deputy Judge Miss Ivy Chui Yee-mei adjourned the case to May 22 for sentence and remanded the defendant in the custody of the Correctional Services Department.The court heard that MBS was a local subsidiary of MBS Logistics Group, a worldwide logistics company which provided logistic services to its clients including placing air cargo space orders through different carriers’ agents. At the material time, the defendant was responsible for seeking quotations from carriers’ agents for clients, arranging delivery of clients’ goods to the agents, and submitting invoices of carriers’ agents to MBS for payment approval.The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint. Enquiries revealed that between March 2016 and June 2019, the defendant had recommended MBS to place over 430 air cargo space orders with a carriers’ agent via two intermediaries, namely JTC Development Limited (JTC) and AK Logistics Limited (AKL), and to make payments totalling over $9.1 million to the two intermediaries.Enquiries by the ICAC found that the defendant and his family members had financial interests in JTC, which was set up by connected persons of the defendant, while company chop, cheque book and other company documents of JTC were seized by ICAC officers from the defendant’s residence.The investigation also revealed that it was agreed between the defendant and AKL that multilayer arrangements could be made for MBS to place orders with the carriers’ agent through JTC via AKL. In return, the defendant would pay a handling charge of around $50 to $100 per order to AKL.The defendant had made a personal gain of over $1.2 million in total out of the scam, but he had never disclosed to MBS his interests in JTC and his agreement with AKL over the orders.MBS rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.The prosecution was today represented by Senior Public Prosecutor Jason Lau, assisted by ICAC officers Raymond Lai and Jennifer Lee.The ICAC advises business organisations to establish clear guidelines and systems of declaration on 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. 08
May 2025Imported site team leader of airport expansion works charged by ICAC gets four and a half months’ jail for accepting bribes from workersAn imported site team leader of Terminal 2 expansion works of the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), charged by the ICAC with accepting bribes from eight imported workers over their employment, was today (May 8) sentenced to four and a half months’ imprisonment at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts.At the material time, Wang Zhenzhong, 36, was an imported site team leader employed by Gammon Construction Limited (Gammon). He earlier pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy for an agent to accept advantages, contrary to section 9(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance and section 159A of the Crimes Ordinance, and was ordered to pay Gammon a restitution of $35,100, equivalent to the amount of bribes he received in the present case.In sentencing, Magistrate Mr Gary Chu Man-hon today remarked that he took a starting point of nine months’ imprisonment, and reduced the jail term of the defendant to four and a half months, having considered his guilty plea and restitution made to Gammon.The court heard that Gammon was the main contractor for the Terminal 2 expansion works of the HKIA. Due to labour shortage in the construction industry, Gammon applied for importation quota through the Development Bureau’s Labour Importation Scheme for Construction Sector for its subcontractors. The employment contracts stipulated that the monthly salary of the imported workers was $31,200.At the material time, the defendant was responsible for leading eight imported workers to work at the Terminal 2 expansion works project under the supervision of a subcontractor. The ICAC investigation stemmed from a corruption complaint. Enquires revealed that between April and October 2024, the defendant conspired together with a middleman to accept bribes from eight imported workers for assisting them to continue their employment with Gammon.It was revealed that the middleman told the workers that they were only entitled to a monthly salary of $20,000, and the defendant collected the salary differences for the middleman. The eight workers acceded to the defendant’s illicit solicitations for fear of losing their jobs. At the material time, the defendant had accepted bribes of over $35,000 from one of the workers.An ICAC spokesperson notes that to enhance imported workers’ understanding of Hong Kong’s anti-corruption laws, the ICAC would arrange corruption prevention talks for them within eight weeks of their arrival. The Commission will continue to disseminate anti-corruption messages through different channels.The ICAC does not tolerate corruption and will continue to collaborate with the Development Bureau and other stakeholders to prevent similar crimes. Should construction workers be asked to pay bribes in exchange for their employment, they should reject and report to the ICAC immediately. The ICAC’s report corruption hotline: 25 266 366.Gammon rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Nicky Wong. 07
May 2025Three property agents charged by ICAC over bribes-for-divulging property vendors’ informationA property agent and two directors of another property agency were charged by the ICAC today (May 7) for allegedly offering and accepting bribes totalling $32,500 for divulging information of property vendors to promote services of the property agency.The defendants are Kong Ka-shing, 27, property agent of Midland Realty International Limited (Midland Realty); Tong Hei-yi, 31; and Chau Ting-fung, 42, both directors-cum-shareholders of Kashing Property (Corp) Limited (Kashing Property).The trio 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.Kong further faces one count of access to computer with criminal or dishonest intent, contrary to Section 161(1)(c) of the Crimes Ordinance.The three defendants were released on ICAC bail, pending their appearance at the Shatin Magistrates’ Courts on Friday (May 9) for mention.At the material time, Kong was posted to a branch of Midland Realty in Shatin, and Tong and Chau were directors-cum-shareholders of Kashing Property, a property agency providing property agency services in Taipo and nearby areas.One of the charges alleges that between May and October 2022, the three defendants conspired with others for Kong to accept $32,500 from individuals including Tong and Chau to assist those individuals or Kashing Property to obtain client information of Midland Realty.Another charge alleges that Kong obtained access to a computer operated by Midland Realty with a view to dishonest gain when working at the Shatin branch of Midland Realty during the abovementioned period.The ICAC investigation stemmed from a corruption complaint. Enquiries revealed that in the six months when the offences occurred, Kong was suspected of accepting several thousand dollars per month from Kashing Property for retrieving the information of property vendors, including their surnames, phone numbers and property addresses, from the database of Midland Realty, and passing over 1,000 records of property vendors to individuals including Tong and Chau for Kashing Property to promote its services.Midland Realty rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.