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Apr 2026Company director guilty of using false passport to open bank accounts as revealed in ICAC graft probeA company director, charged by the ICAC, was convicted today (April 24) at the District Court 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 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.Deputy Judge Mr Ko Wai-hung adjourned the case to May 15 for sentencing, and remanded the defendant in the custody of the Correctional Services Department.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. 24
Apr 2026Account supervisor of party products supplier charged by ICAC sentenced to six and a half years’ jail at High Court for stealing $16mAn ICAC corruption investigation earlier revealed that a then account supervisor of a party products supplier had misappropriated company funds totalling approximately $16 million by forging signatures on over 400 cheques. The defendant was sentenced to an imprisonment of six and a half years following his guilty plea to theft at the Court of First Instance of the High Court.Tam Chun-fung, 48, then account and administration supervisor of DSL Holding Limited (DSL), pleaded guilty today (April 24) to five counts of theft, contrary to section 9 of the Theft Ordinance. Two other similar charges against him were left on file at the High Court.In sentencing, Deputy High Court Judge Tony Li remarked that the defendant was the company’s sole accounting staff member. Despite being deeply trusted by his employer, the defendant breached this trust by planning and committing offences over an extended period, using sophisticated methods to misappropriate company funds and squander the stolen money. The judge took a starting point of 10 years and three months’ imprisonment for the offences. Considering the defendant’s guilty plea and other mitigating factors, the jail term was reduced to six and a half years.At the material time, the defendant was the sole employee of the accounting department of DSL, a party products supplier. He was responsible for preparing and safekeeping all company accounting records and cheques, though he was not an authorised signatory of the company’s bank account.The defendant admitted that between August 2017 and February 2024, a period of six and a half years, he successively forged signatures on more than 400 cheques to misappropriate approximately $16 million from DSL’s bank account, and transferred the sum into his personal bank accounts.The ICAC investigation found that the defendant used the monies for gambling and to support his girlfriends. He concealed the theft by falsely representing to DSL that the funds were expenses for purchasing materials and settling payments with suppliers, and by fabricating DSL’s accounting records.DSL 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 Vincent Ching.Note: An imprisonment of six years and five months was pronounced by the Court of First Instance of the High Court on April 24, 2026. At the hearing on April 28, 2026, the jail sentence was amended to six and a half years. 21
Apr 2026Secretarial company proprietor charged by ICAC for bribing bank employee over accounts openingA proprietor of a secretarial company charged by the ICAC appeared in the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts for mention today (April 21) for allegedly offering a bribe of $6,800 to a bank employee to assist clients referred by her in opening bank accounts.Gu Qian, 39, proprietor of a secretarial company, faced one count of offering an advantage to an agent, contrary to section 9(2)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.No plea was entered today. Magistrate Ms Amy Chan Wai-mun adjourned the case to June 24 for mention and granted the defendant bail.At the material time, the defendant was the proprietor of a secretarial company. Between late May and late October 2025, she referred several clients to an assistant customer service manager of a branch of Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited (BOCHK) in Tsim Sha Tsui. Eight of the clients successfully opened bank accounts with BOCHK.The charge alleged that on October 27, 2025, the defendant offered a bribe of $6,800 to the BOCHK employee as a reward for assisting clients referred by the defendant in opening bank accounts.The BOCHK employee refused to accept the bribe and reported the incident to BOCHK. Following an investigation upon receipt of a corruption report, the defendant was charged by the ICAC yesterday (April 20).BOCHK rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case. All eight bank accounts successfully opened fulfilled the bank’s due diligence requirements.The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Flora Wong. 14
Apr 2026Two then bank employees charged by ICAC with bribery over account opening jailed for 10 months and six monthsTwo then bank employees, among five individuals charged by the ICAC, were today (April 14) sentenced to imprisonment of 10 months and six months at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts for conspiring to accept bribes to assist clients referred by intermediaries in opening bank accounts.Lo Wing-hang, 31, then insurance specialist of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC), received a jail term of 10 months while Wan Hui, 32, then premier business manager of HSBC, was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment.Both defendants 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, Principal Magistrate Mr David Cheung Chi-wai remarked that bank staff must undergo anti-money laundering training. The account-opening activities of the two defendants did not merely affect HSBC; their handling of potential clients impacted the entire banking sector. Should bank staff encounter suspected money laundering cases, they are required to immediately report them to the relevant authorities. However, the two individuals engaged in corrupt conduct breaching the trust placed in them.Having considered the span of the offences, the bribes involved, and the number of bank accounts opened, the court took a starting point of 15 months’ imprisonment for one defendant and nine months for the other. Their jail terms were reduced by one-third due to their guilty pleas.Co-defendant Lo Cheuk-kim, 40, then premier relationship manager of HSBC, earlier pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy for an agent to accept an advantage. His case is scheduled for sentencing on May 4.Between November 2022 and February 2025, the three HSBC employees were posted to a branch in North Point. The court heard that Lo Wing-hang reached an agreement with two intermediaries to assist clients referred by them in opening bank accounts at HSBC, accepting bribes ranging from HK$500 to HK$1,500 for each successful application.Lo Wing-hang later engaged his colleague Lo Cheuk-kim to assist in opening accounts and paid him HK$100 for each successful application. During this period, the duo accepted bribes totalling over HK$170,000 pursuant to their agreement.Between October 2024 and February 2025, Wan assisted 12 clients referred by the two intermediaries to open bank accounts and accepted bribes totalling RMB6,000.The court heard that the three bank employees assisted a total of approximately 250 clients referred by the two intermediaries in opening bank accounts. Seventy of these accounts, which were identified as having money laundering risks following assessment by HSBC, were referred to the relevant law enforcement agency for follow up action.The two insurance agents cum intermediaries concerned, Han Jie and his wife Zhou Yinying, faced two counts of conspiracy for an agent to accept an advantage and one count of offering an advantage to an agent. Their case is scheduled for plea on May 4.HSBC rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Nathan Choi.The ICAC has long attached great importance to the integrity of banking practitioners. With the full support of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, the Hong Kong Association of Banks and the banking industry, the ICAC launched the Banking Industry Integrity Charter in 2024 to promote an integrity culture within the sector. The ICAC will continue to enhance its engagement with the industry under the framework of the Charter to heighten practitioners’ sensitivity to corruption risks, and provide continuous integrity training for bank staff. 14
Apr 2026Middleman charged by ICAC for offering $400,000 in bribes to accounting firm staff over fabric manufacturer’s listingThe ICAC today (April 14) charged a middleman for allegedly offering cash bribes totalling $400,000 to two then managers of an accounting firm in 2010 to assist a fabric manufacturer in its listing in Hong Kong.The ICAC received a referral from the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) in late March 2010. At the material time, the defendant had left Hong Kong. She was arrested by the ICAC upon her recent return. After seeking legal advice from the Department of Justice, the ICAC charged the defendant today.Chan Chau-wan, 72, faces two counts of offering an advantage to an agent, contrary to section 9(2)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance. She was released on bail, pending her appearance at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (April 15) for mention. The prosecution will apply to transfer the case to the District Court for plea.At the material time, Hontex International Holdings Company Limited (Hontex) was seeking a listing in Hong Kong. Hontex engaged KPMG for its auditing services through the introduction of the defendant. A senior manager and an assistant manager of KPMG were responsible for providing auditing services to the initial public offering (IPO) project for Hontex. Hontex was listed on the Main Board of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (SEHK) in late December 2009. It was subsequently delisted in September 2013.The two offences allege that on February 20, 2010, the defendant offered cash bribes of $300,000 and $100,000 respectively to the senior manager and the assistant manager of KPMG for providing auditing services to facilitate the IPO of Hontex.The assistant manager of KPMG rejected the offer and reported the matter to KPMG. Following an internal investigation by KPMG, the matter was reported to the SFC, which subsequently referred the case to the ICAC.KPMG, the SFC and the SEHK rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.The ICAC has been working closely with relevant regulators, including the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited and the SFC, to ensure that IPOs are fair and equitable through system controls and preventive education. The ICAC is committed to upholding the integrity of our financial market as well as consolidating Hong Kong’s status as a leading international financial centre.
Apr 2026Company director guilty of using false passport to open bank accounts as revealed in ICAC graft probeA company director, charged by the ICAC, was convicted today (April 24) at the District Court 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 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.Deputy Judge Mr Ko Wai-hung adjourned the case to May 15 for sentencing, and remanded the defendant in the custody of the Correctional Services Department.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. 24
Apr 2026Account supervisor of party products supplier charged by ICAC sentenced to six and a half years’ jail at High Court for stealing $16mAn ICAC corruption investigation earlier revealed that a then account supervisor of a party products supplier had misappropriated company funds totalling approximately $16 million by forging signatures on over 400 cheques. The defendant was sentenced to an imprisonment of six and a half years following his guilty plea to theft at the Court of First Instance of the High Court.Tam Chun-fung, 48, then account and administration supervisor of DSL Holding Limited (DSL), pleaded guilty today (April 24) to five counts of theft, contrary to section 9 of the Theft Ordinance. Two other similar charges against him were left on file at the High Court.In sentencing, Deputy High Court Judge Tony Li remarked that the defendant was the company’s sole accounting staff member. Despite being deeply trusted by his employer, the defendant breached this trust by planning and committing offences over an extended period, using sophisticated methods to misappropriate company funds and squander the stolen money. The judge took a starting point of 10 years and three months’ imprisonment for the offences. Considering the defendant’s guilty plea and other mitigating factors, the jail term was reduced to six and a half years.At the material time, the defendant was the sole employee of the accounting department of DSL, a party products supplier. He was responsible for preparing and safekeeping all company accounting records and cheques, though he was not an authorised signatory of the company’s bank account.The defendant admitted that between August 2017 and February 2024, a period of six and a half years, he successively forged signatures on more than 400 cheques to misappropriate approximately $16 million from DSL’s bank account, and transferred the sum into his personal bank accounts.The ICAC investigation found that the defendant used the monies for gambling and to support his girlfriends. He concealed the theft by falsely representing to DSL that the funds were expenses for purchasing materials and settling payments with suppliers, and by fabricating DSL’s accounting records.DSL 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 Vincent Ching.Note: An imprisonment of six years and five months was pronounced by the Court of First Instance of the High Court on April 24, 2026. At the hearing on April 28, 2026, the jail sentence was amended to six and a half years. 21
Apr 2026Secretarial company proprietor charged by ICAC for bribing bank employee over accounts openingA proprietor of a secretarial company charged by the ICAC appeared in the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts for mention today (April 21) for allegedly offering a bribe of $6,800 to a bank employee to assist clients referred by her in opening bank accounts.Gu Qian, 39, proprietor of a secretarial company, faced one count of offering an advantage to an agent, contrary to section 9(2)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.No plea was entered today. Magistrate Ms Amy Chan Wai-mun adjourned the case to June 24 for mention and granted the defendant bail.At the material time, the defendant was the proprietor of a secretarial company. Between late May and late October 2025, she referred several clients to an assistant customer service manager of a branch of Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited (BOCHK) in Tsim Sha Tsui. Eight of the clients successfully opened bank accounts with BOCHK.The charge alleged that on October 27, 2025, the defendant offered a bribe of $6,800 to the BOCHK employee as a reward for assisting clients referred by the defendant in opening bank accounts.The BOCHK employee refused to accept the bribe and reported the incident to BOCHK. Following an investigation upon receipt of a corruption report, the defendant was charged by the ICAC yesterday (April 20).BOCHK rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case. All eight bank accounts successfully opened fulfilled the bank’s due diligence requirements.The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Flora Wong. 14
Apr 2026Two then bank employees charged by ICAC with bribery over account opening jailed for 10 months and six monthsTwo then bank employees, among five individuals charged by the ICAC, were today (April 14) sentenced to imprisonment of 10 months and six months at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts for conspiring to accept bribes to assist clients referred by intermediaries in opening bank accounts.Lo Wing-hang, 31, then insurance specialist of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC), received a jail term of 10 months while Wan Hui, 32, then premier business manager of HSBC, was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment.Both defendants 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, Principal Magistrate Mr David Cheung Chi-wai remarked that bank staff must undergo anti-money laundering training. The account-opening activities of the two defendants did not merely affect HSBC; their handling of potential clients impacted the entire banking sector. Should bank staff encounter suspected money laundering cases, they are required to immediately report them to the relevant authorities. However, the two individuals engaged in corrupt conduct breaching the trust placed in them.Having considered the span of the offences, the bribes involved, and the number of bank accounts opened, the court took a starting point of 15 months’ imprisonment for one defendant and nine months for the other. Their jail terms were reduced by one-third due to their guilty pleas.Co-defendant Lo Cheuk-kim, 40, then premier relationship manager of HSBC, earlier pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy for an agent to accept an advantage. His case is scheduled for sentencing on May 4.Between November 2022 and February 2025, the three HSBC employees were posted to a branch in North Point. The court heard that Lo Wing-hang reached an agreement with two intermediaries to assist clients referred by them in opening bank accounts at HSBC, accepting bribes ranging from HK$500 to HK$1,500 for each successful application.Lo Wing-hang later engaged his colleague Lo Cheuk-kim to assist in opening accounts and paid him HK$100 for each successful application. During this period, the duo accepted bribes totalling over HK$170,000 pursuant to their agreement.Between October 2024 and February 2025, Wan assisted 12 clients referred by the two intermediaries to open bank accounts and accepted bribes totalling RMB6,000.The court heard that the three bank employees assisted a total of approximately 250 clients referred by the two intermediaries in opening bank accounts. Seventy of these accounts, which were identified as having money laundering risks following assessment by HSBC, were referred to the relevant law enforcement agency for follow up action.The two insurance agents cum intermediaries concerned, Han Jie and his wife Zhou Yinying, faced two counts of conspiracy for an agent to accept an advantage and one count of offering an advantage to an agent. Their case is scheduled for plea on May 4.HSBC rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Nathan Choi.The ICAC has long attached great importance to the integrity of banking practitioners. With the full support of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, the Hong Kong Association of Banks and the banking industry, the ICAC launched the Banking Industry Integrity Charter in 2024 to promote an integrity culture within the sector. The ICAC will continue to enhance its engagement with the industry under the framework of the Charter to heighten practitioners’ sensitivity to corruption risks, and provide continuous integrity training for bank staff. 14
Apr 2026Middleman charged by ICAC for offering $400,000 in bribes to accounting firm staff over fabric manufacturer’s listingThe ICAC today (April 14) charged a middleman for allegedly offering cash bribes totalling $400,000 to two then managers of an accounting firm in 2010 to assist a fabric manufacturer in its listing in Hong Kong.The ICAC received a referral from the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) in late March 2010. At the material time, the defendant had left Hong Kong. She was arrested by the ICAC upon her recent return. After seeking legal advice from the Department of Justice, the ICAC charged the defendant today.Chan Chau-wan, 72, faces two counts of offering an advantage to an agent, contrary to section 9(2)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance. She was released on bail, pending her appearance at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (April 15) for mention. The prosecution will apply to transfer the case to the District Court for plea.At the material time, Hontex International Holdings Company Limited (Hontex) was seeking a listing in Hong Kong. Hontex engaged KPMG for its auditing services through the introduction of the defendant. A senior manager and an assistant manager of KPMG were responsible for providing auditing services to the initial public offering (IPO) project for Hontex. Hontex was listed on the Main Board of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (SEHK) in late December 2009. It was subsequently delisted in September 2013.The two offences allege that on February 20, 2010, the defendant offered cash bribes of $300,000 and $100,000 respectively to the senior manager and the assistant manager of KPMG for providing auditing services to facilitate the IPO of Hontex.The assistant manager of KPMG rejected the offer and reported the matter to KPMG. Following an internal investigation by KPMG, the matter was reported to the SFC, which subsequently referred the case to the ICAC.KPMG, the SFC and the SEHK rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.The ICAC has been working closely with relevant regulators, including the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited and the SFC, to ensure that IPOs are fair and equitable through system controls and preventive education. The ICAC is committed to upholding the integrity of our financial market as well as consolidating Hong Kong’s status as a leading international financial centre.