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Jan 2026Twenty charged by ICAC for conspiracy to defraud EMSD over registered electrical worker certificates by falsifying work experienceFollowing a corruption investigation by the ICAC which revealed that some individuals had illegally applied for certificates of registration as electrical workers and misled the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) to issue the relevant certificates by falsifying work experience, the Commission mounted an operation codenamed “Beacon Tower”, arresting a number of people. After conducting intensive investigations and seeking legal advice, a total of 20 people were charged with multiple counts of conspiracy to defraud in three cases yesterday and today (January 27 and 28).In the first case, the defendants are Fung Tak-lap, 59, proprietor of K-ONE Power & Interior Design Co. (K-ONE); and 17 electrical workers aged between 37 and 66. Fung faces a total of 26 counts of conspiracy to defraud, contrary to the Common Law; while each of the remaining defendants faces one of the charges.The 17 electrical workers are Wan Ping-hung, Yung Yau-leung, Mak Kwok-wah, Lu Jialiang, Lin Zhuangfu, Tang Chi-ho, Au Sai-hing, Feng Rui, Huang Jieyu, Li Wai-hong, Walter Lo Yuen-yik, Fong Shiu-wang, Man Wai-lok, Hui Yat-shun, Chung Chi-shing, Hui Chun-ming and Chen Junying.The defendants were released on ICAC bail, pending their appearance at the Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (January 29) for mention. The prosecution will apply to transfer the case to the District Court for plea.Two other electrical workers, Law Wai-ming and Yip Man-lam, aged 61 and 39 respectively, were each charged with one count of conspiracy to defraud. The duo were also released on bail, pending their appearance at the Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow for plea in two cases.Any person who performs electrical installation work in Hong Kong is required to register with the EMSD as a Registered Electrical Worker. Certificates of registration are categorised in five grades, of which Grade A is classified as the elementary level (commonly known as Grade A Electrical Work Certificate). Applicants are required to meet various requirements, including possessing at least five years’ work experience in electrical work. Written proof supporting an applicant’s relevant work experience should be submitted with the application form for EMSD’s assessment.Between October 2018 and October 2024, K-ONE had organised a paid training course for potential Grade A Electrical Work Certificates applicants. At that time, the 19 electrical workers concerned had submitted their applications for Grade A Electrical Work Certificates to the EMSD. They were either students of the K-ONE training course or individuals referred to Fung by others.The charges allege that Fung and the 17 co-defendants had conspired together with others to defraud the EMSD by falsely representing to the EMSD that the electrical workers concerned had been employed by K-ONE or seven other engineering companies for electrical work-related jobs, thereby inducing the EMSD to approve and issue Grade A Electrical Work Certificates to the 17 electrical workers concerned.It is suspected that Wan and Yip had conspired with others to use similar fraudulent means to deceive the EMSD into approving and issuing Grade A Electrical Work Certificates to the duo.The ICAC investigation revealed that Fung was the proprietor of K-ONE and two other electrical engineering companies implicated in the cases. He had allegedly assisted the electrical workers in falsifying employment proof documents supporting their five-year electrical work experience to facilitate their applications to the EMSD for Grade A Electrical Work Certificates.The EMSD rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the cases, and revoked the certificates of the applicants in the cases.An ICAC spokesperson urges members of the public to stay vigilant against making applications to the government or licensing authorities by illegal and fraudulent means, which is a serious crime. In view of the corruption risks revealed by the cases, the ICAC has completed a corruption prevention review of the EMSD’s procedures for the registration and regulation of electrical contractors and workers. The EMSD is implementing the ICAC’s recommendations to reduce the corruption risks of the associated procedures. The ICAC continues to partner with the EMSD to enhance integrity in the industry, including stepping up preventive education to curb any illegalities and irregularities. 27
Jan 2026Kitchenware supplier charged by ICAC for bribing Chinese restaurant manager over orders with kickbackA kitchenware supplier was charged by the ICAC today (January 27) for allegedly bribing a purchasing manager of a Chinese restaurant with a kickback amounting to 15 per cent of the value of the kitchenware orders placed with the supplier.Lai Yahao, 55, proprietor of Chuk Chin Stainless Steel Equipment Company Limited (Chuk Chin), faces one count of offering an advantage to an agent, contrary to section 9(2)(b) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance. She was released on ICAC bail, pending her appearance at the Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Courts on Thursday (January 29) for plea.The charge alleges that on December 25, 2022, the defendant offered a bribe of about $12,000 to a purchasing manager of Fook Lam Moon Group (Fook Lam Moon) for causing Fook Lam Moon to place kitchenware orders with Chuk Chin.At the material time, Chinese restaurant operator Fook Lam Moon was planning to open a branch in Kowloon Bay and its purchasing manager placed various orders with Chuk Chin. Upon receipt of a corruption complaint, an investigation by the ICAC revealed that the defendant had allegedly offered a kickback to the purchasing manager of Fook Lam Moon in relation to three of the orders, calculated at 15 per cent of the order value, which was about $12,000.Fook Lam Moon rendered assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case. 22
Jan 2026Then bank employees charged by ICAC admit bribery over account openingA then bank employee, charged by the ICAC, today (January 22) admitted at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts for accepting bribes from intermediaries for assisting clients of the latter to open bank accounts.Wan Hui, 32, then premier business manager of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC), 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.Magistrate Mr Kestrel Lam Tsz-hong adjourned the case to March 19 for mention. The defendant was granted bail.The court heard that Wan was posted to a branch of HSBC in North Point at the material time. She reached an agreement with two intermediaries to assist clients referred by them in opening bank accounts at HSBC and accept a reward of RMB500 for each successful application. Between October 2024 and February 2025, Wan assisted 12 clients referred by the couple in opening bank accounts successfully and accepted bribes totalling RMB6,000 on various occasions. Four of these accounts were assessed with money laundering risk by HSBC and were referred to the relevant law enforcement agency for follow up.No plea was taken when the four co-defendants appeared at court today. Their case was adjourned to March 19 for plea.The co-defendants were Lo Wing-hang, then insurance specialist of HSBC; Lo Cheuk-kim, then premier relationship manager of HSBC; and Han Jie and his wife, Zhou Yinying, both insurance agents cum intermediaries. They face three counts of charges in total – two of conspiracy for an agent to accept an advantage and one of offering an advantage to an agent.HSBC rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Emily Cheung. 22
Jan 2026Listed company trio and subcontractors among 14 arrested by ICAC for bribery over cleaning projectsIn response to media enquiries, an ICAC spokesperson confirmed the arrest of 14 people, including a member of senior management and two employees in managerial grade of a listed company engaged in providing cleaning services, on suspicion of accepting advantages from subcontractors for awarding various contracts for services provided to the commercial sector and the supply of vehicles and the related maintenance services to the listed company. It did not involve any contract signed with the government.The arrestees are six men and eight women, aged between 24 and 57, including the abovementioned listed company trio, and the proprietors and employees of three subcontractors. They are suspected of breaching the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance and offences of conspiracy to defraud and dealing with property believed to represent crime proceeds (commonly known as money laundering).During the operation, ICAC officers conducted searches at multiple locations, including the offices of the listed company and the subcontractors, as well as the residences of the arrested individuals, seizing various exhibits, including approximately $1 million in cash and a large number of watches. The watches seized, with an estimated value amounting to over $10 million, are suspected of being used to launder the bribes and crime proceeds concerned.The ICAC investigation also found that one of the listed company trio had allegedly purchased three residential properties through a family member, in which about $8 million was funded by one of the subcontractor proprietors.As the investigations are ongoing, no further comments will be made.The listed company concerned rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its operation. 15
Jan 2026Three property agents in bribes-for-vendor-information case jailed for up to 10 monthsThree property agents charged by the ICAC were today (January 15) sentenced to imprisonment of five to 10 months at the Shatin Magistrates’ Courts for offering and accepting bribes totalling $32,500 for divulging information of over 1,000 property vendors to promote services of the property agency.Kong Ka-shing, 27, property agent of Midland Realty International Limited (Midland Realty), received a jail term of 10 months. He was earlier found guilty of two charges after trial – one 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, and one of access to computer with criminal or dishonest intent, contrary to section 161(1)(c) of the Crimes Ordinance.Tong Hei-yi, 31; and Chau Ting-fung, 42, both directors-cum-shareholders of Kashing Property (Corp) Limited (Kashing Property), were respectively sentenced to five months and six months in jail. The duo earlier pleaded guilty to the charge of conspiracy for an agent to accept an advantage.In sentencing, Deputy Magistrate Miss Li Cheuk-wai remarked that the defendants committed crimes premeditatedly. Kong had abused his position as a property agent of Midland Realty to obtain its information and divulge it to the party of Tong and Chau, resulting in benefit to Kashing Property. Given the seriousness of the offences, a custodial sentence was inevitable.At the material time, Kong was posted to a branch of Midland Realty in Shatin, while Tong and Chau were directors-cum-shareholders of Kashing Property, a property agency providing property agency services in Taipo and nearby areas. Midland Realty prohibited its property agents from divulging confidential client information and forbade them from accepting any advantages in relation to Midland Realty’s business.The court heard that between May and October 2022, Kong had accepted bribes totalling $32,500 from individuals including Tong and Chau for retrieving the information of property vendors, including their surnames, phone numbers and property addresses, from the database of Midland Realty.During the six-month period when the offences took place, Kong had divulged over 1,000 records of property vendors to Tong, Chau and others for Kashing Property to promote its services.Midland Realty rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.The prosecution was today represented by prosecuting counsel Joe Chan, assisted by ICAC officer Chacha Chan.The ICAC is always committed to maintaining an integrity culture in the estate agency sector by continuously providing anti-corruption training to its practitioners. The ICAC reminds all property agents that abusing authority to accept illegal advantages might constitute bribery, and both the offeror and recipient can be liable for an offence. Members of the public should never take part in any corrupt activities.
Jan 2026Twenty charged by ICAC for conspiracy to defraud EMSD over registered electrical worker certificates by falsifying work experienceFollowing a corruption investigation by the ICAC which revealed that some individuals had illegally applied for certificates of registration as electrical workers and misled the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) to issue the relevant certificates by falsifying work experience, the Commission mounted an operation codenamed “Beacon Tower”, arresting a number of people. After conducting intensive investigations and seeking legal advice, a total of 20 people were charged with multiple counts of conspiracy to defraud in three cases yesterday and today (January 27 and 28).In the first case, the defendants are Fung Tak-lap, 59, proprietor of K-ONE Power & Interior Design Co. (K-ONE); and 17 electrical workers aged between 37 and 66. Fung faces a total of 26 counts of conspiracy to defraud, contrary to the Common Law; while each of the remaining defendants faces one of the charges.The 17 electrical workers are Wan Ping-hung, Yung Yau-leung, Mak Kwok-wah, Lu Jialiang, Lin Zhuangfu, Tang Chi-ho, Au Sai-hing, Feng Rui, Huang Jieyu, Li Wai-hong, Walter Lo Yuen-yik, Fong Shiu-wang, Man Wai-lok, Hui Yat-shun, Chung Chi-shing, Hui Chun-ming and Chen Junying.The defendants were released on ICAC bail, pending their appearance at the Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (January 29) for mention. The prosecution will apply to transfer the case to the District Court for plea.Two other electrical workers, Law Wai-ming and Yip Man-lam, aged 61 and 39 respectively, were each charged with one count of conspiracy to defraud. The duo were also released on bail, pending their appearance at the Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow for plea in two cases.Any person who performs electrical installation work in Hong Kong is required to register with the EMSD as a Registered Electrical Worker. Certificates of registration are categorised in five grades, of which Grade A is classified as the elementary level (commonly known as Grade A Electrical Work Certificate). Applicants are required to meet various requirements, including possessing at least five years’ work experience in electrical work. Written proof supporting an applicant’s relevant work experience should be submitted with the application form for EMSD’s assessment.Between October 2018 and October 2024, K-ONE had organised a paid training course for potential Grade A Electrical Work Certificates applicants. At that time, the 19 electrical workers concerned had submitted their applications for Grade A Electrical Work Certificates to the EMSD. They were either students of the K-ONE training course or individuals referred to Fung by others.The charges allege that Fung and the 17 co-defendants had conspired together with others to defraud the EMSD by falsely representing to the EMSD that the electrical workers concerned had been employed by K-ONE or seven other engineering companies for electrical work-related jobs, thereby inducing the EMSD to approve and issue Grade A Electrical Work Certificates to the 17 electrical workers concerned.It is suspected that Wan and Yip had conspired with others to use similar fraudulent means to deceive the EMSD into approving and issuing Grade A Electrical Work Certificates to the duo.The ICAC investigation revealed that Fung was the proprietor of K-ONE and two other electrical engineering companies implicated in the cases. He had allegedly assisted the electrical workers in falsifying employment proof documents supporting their five-year electrical work experience to facilitate their applications to the EMSD for Grade A Electrical Work Certificates.The EMSD rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the cases, and revoked the certificates of the applicants in the cases.An ICAC spokesperson urges members of the public to stay vigilant against making applications to the government or licensing authorities by illegal and fraudulent means, which is a serious crime. In view of the corruption risks revealed by the cases, the ICAC has completed a corruption prevention review of the EMSD’s procedures for the registration and regulation of electrical contractors and workers. The EMSD is implementing the ICAC’s recommendations to reduce the corruption risks of the associated procedures. The ICAC continues to partner with the EMSD to enhance integrity in the industry, including stepping up preventive education to curb any illegalities and irregularities. 27
Jan 2026Kitchenware supplier charged by ICAC for bribing Chinese restaurant manager over orders with kickbackA kitchenware supplier was charged by the ICAC today (January 27) for allegedly bribing a purchasing manager of a Chinese restaurant with a kickback amounting to 15 per cent of the value of the kitchenware orders placed with the supplier.Lai Yahao, 55, proprietor of Chuk Chin Stainless Steel Equipment Company Limited (Chuk Chin), faces one count of offering an advantage to an agent, contrary to section 9(2)(b) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance. She was released on ICAC bail, pending her appearance at the Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Courts on Thursday (January 29) for plea.The charge alleges that on December 25, 2022, the defendant offered a bribe of about $12,000 to a purchasing manager of Fook Lam Moon Group (Fook Lam Moon) for causing Fook Lam Moon to place kitchenware orders with Chuk Chin.At the material time, Chinese restaurant operator Fook Lam Moon was planning to open a branch in Kowloon Bay and its purchasing manager placed various orders with Chuk Chin. Upon receipt of a corruption complaint, an investigation by the ICAC revealed that the defendant had allegedly offered a kickback to the purchasing manager of Fook Lam Moon in relation to three of the orders, calculated at 15 per cent of the order value, which was about $12,000.Fook Lam Moon rendered assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case. 22
Jan 2026Then bank employees charged by ICAC admit bribery over account openingA then bank employee, charged by the ICAC, today (January 22) admitted at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts for accepting bribes from intermediaries for assisting clients of the latter to open bank accounts.Wan Hui, 32, then premier business manager of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC), 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.Magistrate Mr Kestrel Lam Tsz-hong adjourned the case to March 19 for mention. The defendant was granted bail.The court heard that Wan was posted to a branch of HSBC in North Point at the material time. She reached an agreement with two intermediaries to assist clients referred by them in opening bank accounts at HSBC and accept a reward of RMB500 for each successful application. Between October 2024 and February 2025, Wan assisted 12 clients referred by the couple in opening bank accounts successfully and accepted bribes totalling RMB6,000 on various occasions. Four of these accounts were assessed with money laundering risk by HSBC and were referred to the relevant law enforcement agency for follow up.No plea was taken when the four co-defendants appeared at court today. Their case was adjourned to March 19 for plea.The co-defendants were Lo Wing-hang, then insurance specialist of HSBC; Lo Cheuk-kim, then premier relationship manager of HSBC; and Han Jie and his wife, Zhou Yinying, both insurance agents cum intermediaries. They face three counts of charges in total – two of conspiracy for an agent to accept an advantage and one of offering an advantage to an agent.HSBC rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Emily Cheung. 22
Jan 2026Listed company trio and subcontractors among 14 arrested by ICAC for bribery over cleaning projectsIn response to media enquiries, an ICAC spokesperson confirmed the arrest of 14 people, including a member of senior management and two employees in managerial grade of a listed company engaged in providing cleaning services, on suspicion of accepting advantages from subcontractors for awarding various contracts for services provided to the commercial sector and the supply of vehicles and the related maintenance services to the listed company. It did not involve any contract signed with the government.The arrestees are six men and eight women, aged between 24 and 57, including the abovementioned listed company trio, and the proprietors and employees of three subcontractors. They are suspected of breaching the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance and offences of conspiracy to defraud and dealing with property believed to represent crime proceeds (commonly known as money laundering).During the operation, ICAC officers conducted searches at multiple locations, including the offices of the listed company and the subcontractors, as well as the residences of the arrested individuals, seizing various exhibits, including approximately $1 million in cash and a large number of watches. The watches seized, with an estimated value amounting to over $10 million, are suspected of being used to launder the bribes and crime proceeds concerned.The ICAC investigation also found that one of the listed company trio had allegedly purchased three residential properties through a family member, in which about $8 million was funded by one of the subcontractor proprietors.As the investigations are ongoing, no further comments will be made.The listed company concerned rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its operation. 15
Jan 2026Three property agents in bribes-for-vendor-information case jailed for up to 10 monthsThree property agents charged by the ICAC were today (January 15) sentenced to imprisonment of five to 10 months at the Shatin Magistrates’ Courts for offering and accepting bribes totalling $32,500 for divulging information of over 1,000 property vendors to promote services of the property agency.Kong Ka-shing, 27, property agent of Midland Realty International Limited (Midland Realty), received a jail term of 10 months. He was earlier found guilty of two charges after trial – one 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, and one of access to computer with criminal or dishonest intent, contrary to section 161(1)(c) of the Crimes Ordinance.Tong Hei-yi, 31; and Chau Ting-fung, 42, both directors-cum-shareholders of Kashing Property (Corp) Limited (Kashing Property), were respectively sentenced to five months and six months in jail. The duo earlier pleaded guilty to the charge of conspiracy for an agent to accept an advantage.In sentencing, Deputy Magistrate Miss Li Cheuk-wai remarked that the defendants committed crimes premeditatedly. Kong had abused his position as a property agent of Midland Realty to obtain its information and divulge it to the party of Tong and Chau, resulting in benefit to Kashing Property. Given the seriousness of the offences, a custodial sentence was inevitable.At the material time, Kong was posted to a branch of Midland Realty in Shatin, while Tong and Chau were directors-cum-shareholders of Kashing Property, a property agency providing property agency services in Taipo and nearby areas. Midland Realty prohibited its property agents from divulging confidential client information and forbade them from accepting any advantages in relation to Midland Realty’s business.The court heard that between May and October 2022, Kong had accepted bribes totalling $32,500 from individuals including Tong and Chau for retrieving the information of property vendors, including their surnames, phone numbers and property addresses, from the database of Midland Realty.During the six-month period when the offences took place, Kong had divulged over 1,000 records of property vendors to Tong, Chau and others for Kashing Property to promote its services.Midland Realty rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.The prosecution was today represented by prosecuting counsel Joe Chan, assisted by ICAC officer Chacha Chan.The ICAC is always committed to maintaining an integrity culture in the estate agency sector by continuously providing anti-corruption training to its practitioners. The ICAC reminds all property agents that abusing authority to accept illegal advantages might constitute bribery, and both the offeror and recipient can be liable for an offence. Members of the public should never take part in any corrupt activities.