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May 2024Ex-HKUST Adjunct Associate Professor wanted by ICAC for $4m procurement fraud arrested in PolandA former Adjunct Associate Professor of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) wanted by the ICAC was arrested in Poland in late April. Earlier on, a warrant for the arrest of the former Adjunct Associate Professor for allegedly conspiring with two others to conceal his interest in two suppliers in relation to various procurements that involved payments totalling about $4 million was issued by a Magistrate.Yeung Lam-lung, 59, former Adjunct Associate Professor of the Department of Chemistry of HKUST, faces a total of 17 charges – three of conspiracy to defraud, contrary to Common Law; and 14 of fraud, contrary to Section 16A(1) of the Theft Ordinance.In late April, the ICAC was informed by the Interpol that Yeung Lam-lung was detained by the Poland authorities in an international airport of Poland. Upon the ICAC’s request, the Department of Justice (DoJ) made an application to Poland for the provisional arrest of Yeung Lam-lung pursuant to the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC). A formal request for the surrender of Yeung Lam-lung is under preparation and will be made. The UNCAC has been ratified by the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Poland, and is also applicable to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.The ICAC is grateful to the DoJ and Poland authorities for their valuable assistance in securing the arrest of Yeung Lam-lung.The alleged offences took place between September 2011 and February 2019. During the period, Yeung Lam-lung conducted 17 tendering and procurement exercises for the HKUST and its subsidiary to purchase various laboratory equipment and testing services from Chun Fo (Asia) Pharmaceutical Co., Limited (CFPL) and PIT Limited (PITL) in which Yeung Lam-lung had direct or indirect financial interests.In accordance with the regulations of the HKUST, Yeung Lam-lung was required to declare his conflict of interest with any suppliers before engaging them. Likewise, suppliers were required to declare whether any HKUST staff have any interest in them.In late 2011, Yeung Siu-on became PITL’s sole director and shareholder. When CFPL was incorporated in mid-2012, Yeung Siu-on was its sole director and shareholder while Au Yeung Siu-fung took over the position in late 2012.The conspiracy charges allege that Yeung Lam-lung had conspired with Au Yeung Siu-fung or Yeung Siu-on to defraud the HKUST by concealing Yeung Lam-lung’s interest in CFPL and PITL while he had a duty to disclose any conflict of interest to the university, but instead, he induced it to engage CFPL and PITL in three of the 17 tendering and procurement exercises, and caused it to settle invoices of the two suppliers in full.The remaining charges allege that Yeung Lam-lung, either with Au Yeung Siu-fung or Yeung Siu-on, induced the HKUST or its subsidiary to engage CFPL or PITL in the other 14 tendering and procurement exercises by concealing his interest in the two suppliers.The 17 tendering and procurement exercises involved payments totalling about $4 million.The case arose from a corruption complaint filed with the ICAC. Upon completion of the investigation, legal advice was sought from the DoJ, which advised charging the trio. As Yeung Lam-lung had already left Hong Kong when Yeung Siu-on and Au Yeung Siu-fung were charged in September 2022, a warrant for the arrest of Yeung Lam-lung was issued by a Magistrate in October 2022 upon the application made by the ICAC. In August 2023, Yeung Lam-lung was placed on the Interpol Red Notice for his apprehension.In October 2023, Yeung Siu-on was sentenced to 28 months’ imprisonment at the District Court after pleading guilty to 11 counts of conspiracy to defraud and fraud. Au Yeung Siu-fung, who pleaded not guilty to three counts of conspiracy to defraud and fraud, had his case adjourned to December 19 for verdict.HKUST had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case. 13
May 2024Two women charged by ICAC for bribing bank employee over account openingThe ICAC charged two women last Friday (May 10) for allegedly bribing a bank employee with a wad of banknotes for opening a personal bank account.Yu Hui, 26, executive; and Wang Jinyu, 37, live-streaming technician, jointly face one count of offering advantage to an agent, contrary to section 9(2)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance. The duo were released on ICAC bail, pending their appearance at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (May 14) for plea.On April 19, 2024, Yu and Wang came to Hong Kong and visited a branch of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC) in Wan Chai for opening personal bank accounts. They wished to complete the relevant procedures on the same day.It is alleged that on the same day, the defendants offered a bribe consisting of an unspecified sum of money to an employee of HSBC for assisting Yu to open a bank account with the bank.The bank employee immediately rejected the bribes offered by the duo and reported the matter to his supervisors immediately. ICAC officers arrested the two defendants on the spot immediately after receiving a corruption complaint.Enquiries by the ICAC revealed that the defendants allegedly offered an envelope containing a wad of HK$100 and HK$500 banknotes to the bank employee.HSBC has rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.The ICAC reminds the public not to bribe bank staff in exchange for its services. Should anyone comes across any suspicion of corruption, he or she should report to the ICAC immediately. ICAC 24-hour Report Corruption Hotline: 25 266 366. 07
May 2024Trading company duo charged by ICAC for offering over HK$1m bribes to vice president of bank over receipt of fundA director and a representative of a trading company were charged by the ICAC today (May 6) for allegedly offering bribes totalling HK$1.02 million to a vice president of a bank for assisting the company to receive an investment fund claimed to amount to $200 billion euros through its account held with the bank.Wammy Ngan Wang-lai and Jiang Jiaxin, respectively sole director cum shareholder and representative of Hong Kong Chinese Reserve International Company Limited (Chinese Reserve), both 55, jointly face two charges – one of conspiracy to offer an advantage to an agent and one of offering an advantage to an agent, contrary to Section 9(2)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (POBO) and Section 159A of the Crimes Ordinance.The two defendants were released on ICAC bail, pending their appearance in the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts on Wednesday (May 8) for mention. The prosecution will apply for transferring the case to the District Court for plea.At the material time, Chinese Reserve held a bank account with DBS Bank (Hong Kong) Limited (DBS Bank), which required its customers to provide supporting documents in respect of large transactions for verification for due diligence purpose.It is alleged that between July and August 2023, the defendants conspired together to offer two bribe payments of HK$1 million and HK$20,000 respectively to a vice president of DBS Bank for assisting Chinese Reserve to re-activate its dormant bank account held with DBS Bank in order to receive an investment fund through the account.The vice president rejected the defendants’ offers and reported the matter to the bank. The ICAC subsequently received a corruption complaint and conducted an investigation. Enquiries revealed that Ngan claimed that Chinese Reserve had to receive an investment fund of $200 billion euros through its bank account held with DBS Bank and allegedly provided false documents to the bank.The ICAC reminds members of the public not to bribe bank staff in exchange for its services, otherwise it may constitute breaches of the POBO. Should anyone comes across any suspicion of corruption, he or she should report to the ICAC immediately. ICAC 24-hour Report Corruption Hotline: 25 266 366.The ICAC has been actively promoting corruption prevention services to banks and enhancing banking practitioners’ knowledge on the anti-corruption laws. The newly launched “Corruption Prevention Guide for Banks” assists banks in managing corruption risks in core operations, including accounts opening. An Ethics Promotion Programme for the Banking Industry was also launched to help bank staff to understand common corruption loopholes.DBS Bank has rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case. 30
Apr 2024MPF intermediary and four clients charged by ICAC with conspiracy to defraud and using false instruments over early MPF withdrawalThe ICAC had earlier cracked down a corruption syndicate which allegedly engaged in bribery and fraudulent means to assist Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) scheme members to apply for early withdrawal of their MPF with false documents and statutory declarations. After conducting intensive investigations, the ICAC today (April 30) charged an insurance agent, who was also an MPF intermediary, and four of his MFP clients with conspiracy to defraud and using false instruments.Wong Kam-fai, 34, then insurance agent of FWD Life Insurance Company (Bermuda) Limited (FWD), faces a total of seven charges – four of conspiracy to defraud, contrary to the Common Law; and three of using a false instrument, contrary to section 73 of the Crimes Ordinance.The four MPF scheme members are Mak Kwok-pui, 50; Ngan Hon-wai, 51; Ho Yuen-man, 42; and Li Chi-kwan, 49. Mak jointly faces a charge of conspiracy to defraud with Wong while each of the three co-defendants jointly faces one count of using a false instrument with Wong.All defendants were released on ICAC bail, pending their appearance at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts on Thursday (May 2) for mention.Sun Life Trustee Company Limited (Sun Life) is an MPF trustee in Hong Kong. According to the strategic partnership between FWD and Sun Life, insurance agents of FWD would promote Sun Life’s MPF schemes.At the material time, Wong was an insurance agent cum MPF intermediary of FWD. Between July 2021 and August 2023, Wong helped a number of clients to open MPF accounts with Sun Life and transferred their MPF to Sun Life. Since then, Wong became the MPF intermediary of those clients, including the four co-defendants.The MPF Schemes Ordinance stipulates that members of MPF schemes may apply for early withdrawal of their MPF on grounds of “permanent departure from Hong Kong”. Applicants are required to submit to the MPF trustee concerned a statutory declaration and relevant supporting documents to support their applications.The investigation arose from corruption complaints filed with the ICAC alleging MPF intermediaries of accepting bribes for assisting MPF scheme members to apply for early withdrawal of their MPF by making false representations.Enquiries revealed that Wong allegedly conspired with various clients, including Mak, separately to defraud Sun Life by dishonestly falsely representing to Sun Life in their applications for early withdrawal of MPF that those clients would permanently depart from Hong Kong and settle in Mainland China or Africa, and submitted erroneous supporting documents to cause Sun Life to approve their applications. Enquiries revealed that those clients never had the intention to migrate to the Mainland of China or Africa.In the applications of Ngan, Ho and Li for early withdrawal of MPF, Wong, together with each of the trio, allegedly used three false statutory declarations with the intention of inducing Sun Life to accept them as genuine. The statutory declarations concerned were purportedly signed before a local solicitor although enquiries revealed that the solicitor had never administered any declaration for them.ICAC enquiries also revealed that Wong allegedly accepted payments ranging from several thousand dollars to several ten thousand dollars from each of the clients, and successfully assisted them to withdraw their MPF totalling about $4.6 million.The MPF Schemes Authority, FWD and Sun Life have rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.An ICAC spokesperson reminds members of the public that bribery, using false instruments and false statutory declarations, etc. are serious crimes which they should avoid committing. 29
Apr 2024Ex-bank employee and intermediary charged by ICAC admit bribery for expediting account openingA former bank employee and an intermediary, charged by the ICAC, today (April 29) admitted at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts that they had solicited and accepted bribes totalling $13,000 for expediting the process of opening personal bank accounts for six clients.Law Tsz-hin, 30, former business sales executive of China Construction Bank (Asia) Corporation Limited (CCB (Asia)), pleaded guilty to four charges – one of agent soliciting an advantage; two of agent accepting an advantage and one 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.Hu Yi, 39, sole director of Gangchen International Business Consulting (Shenzhen) Company Limited (Gangchen), pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy for an agent to accept advantages.Principal Magistrate Miss Ivy Chui Yee-mei adjourned the case to May 21 for sentence, pending the background reports of the defendants. The duo were remanded in custody of the Correctional Services Department.At the material time, Law was a business sales executive of the Central Branch of CCB (Asia). He was responsible for opening personal bank accounts and answering enquiries from clients. Gangchen was an intermediary company providing commercial secretarial and bank account opening services.The court heard that between late April and mid-May 2023, Law solicited a bribe of $5,000 from a client and accepted bribes totalling $5,000 from two other clients for expediting the trio’s account opening process.During the period, Law also solicited bribes totalling $3,000 from Hu for expediting the account opening process of three clients referred by the latter but he eventually accepted bribes totalling $2,000.CCB (Asia) had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Gary Chan.The ICAC has been actively promoting corruption prevention services to banks and enhancing banking practitioners’ knowledge on the anti-corruption laws. The newly launched “Corruption Prevention Guide for Banks” assists banks in managing corruption risks in core operations, including accounts opening. An Ethics Promotion Programme for the Banking Industry was also launched to help bank staff to understand common corruption loopholes. The ICAC reminds members of the public not to bribe bank staff in exchange for its services, otherwise it may constitute breaches of the POBO. They should report to the ICAC immediately should they come across any suspicion of corruption in the organisations. ICAC 24-hour Report Corruption Hotline: 25 266 366.
May 2024Ex-HKUST Adjunct Associate Professor wanted by ICAC for $4m procurement fraud arrested in PolandA former Adjunct Associate Professor of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) wanted by the ICAC was arrested in Poland in late April. Earlier on, a warrant for the arrest of the former Adjunct Associate Professor for allegedly conspiring with two others to conceal his interest in two suppliers in relation to various procurements that involved payments totalling about $4 million was issued by a Magistrate.Yeung Lam-lung, 59, former Adjunct Associate Professor of the Department of Chemistry of HKUST, faces a total of 17 charges – three of conspiracy to defraud, contrary to Common Law; and 14 of fraud, contrary to Section 16A(1) of the Theft Ordinance.In late April, the ICAC was informed by the Interpol that Yeung Lam-lung was detained by the Poland authorities in an international airport of Poland. Upon the ICAC’s request, the Department of Justice (DoJ) made an application to Poland for the provisional arrest of Yeung Lam-lung pursuant to the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC). A formal request for the surrender of Yeung Lam-lung is under preparation and will be made. The UNCAC has been ratified by the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Poland, and is also applicable to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.The ICAC is grateful to the DoJ and Poland authorities for their valuable assistance in securing the arrest of Yeung Lam-lung.The alleged offences took place between September 2011 and February 2019. During the period, Yeung Lam-lung conducted 17 tendering and procurement exercises for the HKUST and its subsidiary to purchase various laboratory equipment and testing services from Chun Fo (Asia) Pharmaceutical Co., Limited (CFPL) and PIT Limited (PITL) in which Yeung Lam-lung had direct or indirect financial interests.In accordance with the regulations of the HKUST, Yeung Lam-lung was required to declare his conflict of interest with any suppliers before engaging them. Likewise, suppliers were required to declare whether any HKUST staff have any interest in them.In late 2011, Yeung Siu-on became PITL’s sole director and shareholder. When CFPL was incorporated in mid-2012, Yeung Siu-on was its sole director and shareholder while Au Yeung Siu-fung took over the position in late 2012.The conspiracy charges allege that Yeung Lam-lung had conspired with Au Yeung Siu-fung or Yeung Siu-on to defraud the HKUST by concealing Yeung Lam-lung’s interest in CFPL and PITL while he had a duty to disclose any conflict of interest to the university, but instead, he induced it to engage CFPL and PITL in three of the 17 tendering and procurement exercises, and caused it to settle invoices of the two suppliers in full.The remaining charges allege that Yeung Lam-lung, either with Au Yeung Siu-fung or Yeung Siu-on, induced the HKUST or its subsidiary to engage CFPL or PITL in the other 14 tendering and procurement exercises by concealing his interest in the two suppliers.The 17 tendering and procurement exercises involved payments totalling about $4 million.The case arose from a corruption complaint filed with the ICAC. Upon completion of the investigation, legal advice was sought from the DoJ, which advised charging the trio. As Yeung Lam-lung had already left Hong Kong when Yeung Siu-on and Au Yeung Siu-fung were charged in September 2022, a warrant for the arrest of Yeung Lam-lung was issued by a Magistrate in October 2022 upon the application made by the ICAC. In August 2023, Yeung Lam-lung was placed on the Interpol Red Notice for his apprehension.In October 2023, Yeung Siu-on was sentenced to 28 months’ imprisonment at the District Court after pleading guilty to 11 counts of conspiracy to defraud and fraud. Au Yeung Siu-fung, who pleaded not guilty to three counts of conspiracy to defraud and fraud, had his case adjourned to December 19 for verdict.HKUST had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case. 13
May 2024Two women charged by ICAC for bribing bank employee over account openingThe ICAC charged two women last Friday (May 10) for allegedly bribing a bank employee with a wad of banknotes for opening a personal bank account.Yu Hui, 26, executive; and Wang Jinyu, 37, live-streaming technician, jointly face one count of offering advantage to an agent, contrary to section 9(2)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance. The duo were released on ICAC bail, pending their appearance at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (May 14) for plea.On April 19, 2024, Yu and Wang came to Hong Kong and visited a branch of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC) in Wan Chai for opening personal bank accounts. They wished to complete the relevant procedures on the same day.It is alleged that on the same day, the defendants offered a bribe consisting of an unspecified sum of money to an employee of HSBC for assisting Yu to open a bank account with the bank.The bank employee immediately rejected the bribes offered by the duo and reported the matter to his supervisors immediately. ICAC officers arrested the two defendants on the spot immediately after receiving a corruption complaint.Enquiries by the ICAC revealed that the defendants allegedly offered an envelope containing a wad of HK$100 and HK$500 banknotes to the bank employee.HSBC has rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.The ICAC reminds the public not to bribe bank staff in exchange for its services. Should anyone comes across any suspicion of corruption, he or she should report to the ICAC immediately. ICAC 24-hour Report Corruption Hotline: 25 266 366. 07
May 2024Trading company duo charged by ICAC for offering over HK$1m bribes to vice president of bank over receipt of fundA director and a representative of a trading company were charged by the ICAC today (May 6) for allegedly offering bribes totalling HK$1.02 million to a vice president of a bank for assisting the company to receive an investment fund claimed to amount to $200 billion euros through its account held with the bank.Wammy Ngan Wang-lai and Jiang Jiaxin, respectively sole director cum shareholder and representative of Hong Kong Chinese Reserve International Company Limited (Chinese Reserve), both 55, jointly face two charges – one of conspiracy to offer an advantage to an agent and one of offering an advantage to an agent, contrary to Section 9(2)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (POBO) and Section 159A of the Crimes Ordinance.The two defendants were released on ICAC bail, pending their appearance in the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts on Wednesday (May 8) for mention. The prosecution will apply for transferring the case to the District Court for plea.At the material time, Chinese Reserve held a bank account with DBS Bank (Hong Kong) Limited (DBS Bank), which required its customers to provide supporting documents in respect of large transactions for verification for due diligence purpose.It is alleged that between July and August 2023, the defendants conspired together to offer two bribe payments of HK$1 million and HK$20,000 respectively to a vice president of DBS Bank for assisting Chinese Reserve to re-activate its dormant bank account held with DBS Bank in order to receive an investment fund through the account.The vice president rejected the defendants’ offers and reported the matter to the bank. The ICAC subsequently received a corruption complaint and conducted an investigation. Enquiries revealed that Ngan claimed that Chinese Reserve had to receive an investment fund of $200 billion euros through its bank account held with DBS Bank and allegedly provided false documents to the bank.The ICAC reminds members of the public not to bribe bank staff in exchange for its services, otherwise it may constitute breaches of the POBO. Should anyone comes across any suspicion of corruption, he or she should report to the ICAC immediately. ICAC 24-hour Report Corruption Hotline: 25 266 366.The ICAC has been actively promoting corruption prevention services to banks and enhancing banking practitioners’ knowledge on the anti-corruption laws. The newly launched “Corruption Prevention Guide for Banks” assists banks in managing corruption risks in core operations, including accounts opening. An Ethics Promotion Programme for the Banking Industry was also launched to help bank staff to understand common corruption loopholes.DBS Bank has rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case. 30
Apr 2024MPF intermediary and four clients charged by ICAC with conspiracy to defraud and using false instruments over early MPF withdrawalThe ICAC had earlier cracked down a corruption syndicate which allegedly engaged in bribery and fraudulent means to assist Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) scheme members to apply for early withdrawal of their MPF with false documents and statutory declarations. After conducting intensive investigations, the ICAC today (April 30) charged an insurance agent, who was also an MPF intermediary, and four of his MFP clients with conspiracy to defraud and using false instruments.Wong Kam-fai, 34, then insurance agent of FWD Life Insurance Company (Bermuda) Limited (FWD), faces a total of seven charges – four of conspiracy to defraud, contrary to the Common Law; and three of using a false instrument, contrary to section 73 of the Crimes Ordinance.The four MPF scheme members are Mak Kwok-pui, 50; Ngan Hon-wai, 51; Ho Yuen-man, 42; and Li Chi-kwan, 49. Mak jointly faces a charge of conspiracy to defraud with Wong while each of the three co-defendants jointly faces one count of using a false instrument with Wong.All defendants were released on ICAC bail, pending their appearance at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts on Thursday (May 2) for mention.Sun Life Trustee Company Limited (Sun Life) is an MPF trustee in Hong Kong. According to the strategic partnership between FWD and Sun Life, insurance agents of FWD would promote Sun Life’s MPF schemes.At the material time, Wong was an insurance agent cum MPF intermediary of FWD. Between July 2021 and August 2023, Wong helped a number of clients to open MPF accounts with Sun Life and transferred their MPF to Sun Life. Since then, Wong became the MPF intermediary of those clients, including the four co-defendants.The MPF Schemes Ordinance stipulates that members of MPF schemes may apply for early withdrawal of their MPF on grounds of “permanent departure from Hong Kong”. Applicants are required to submit to the MPF trustee concerned a statutory declaration and relevant supporting documents to support their applications.The investigation arose from corruption complaints filed with the ICAC alleging MPF intermediaries of accepting bribes for assisting MPF scheme members to apply for early withdrawal of their MPF by making false representations.Enquiries revealed that Wong allegedly conspired with various clients, including Mak, separately to defraud Sun Life by dishonestly falsely representing to Sun Life in their applications for early withdrawal of MPF that those clients would permanently depart from Hong Kong and settle in Mainland China or Africa, and submitted erroneous supporting documents to cause Sun Life to approve their applications. Enquiries revealed that those clients never had the intention to migrate to the Mainland of China or Africa.In the applications of Ngan, Ho and Li for early withdrawal of MPF, Wong, together with each of the trio, allegedly used three false statutory declarations with the intention of inducing Sun Life to accept them as genuine. The statutory declarations concerned were purportedly signed before a local solicitor although enquiries revealed that the solicitor had never administered any declaration for them.ICAC enquiries also revealed that Wong allegedly accepted payments ranging from several thousand dollars to several ten thousand dollars from each of the clients, and successfully assisted them to withdraw their MPF totalling about $4.6 million.The MPF Schemes Authority, FWD and Sun Life have rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.An ICAC spokesperson reminds members of the public that bribery, using false instruments and false statutory declarations, etc. are serious crimes which they should avoid committing. 29
Apr 2024Ex-bank employee and intermediary charged by ICAC admit bribery for expediting account openingA former bank employee and an intermediary, charged by the ICAC, today (April 29) admitted at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts that they had solicited and accepted bribes totalling $13,000 for expediting the process of opening personal bank accounts for six clients.Law Tsz-hin, 30, former business sales executive of China Construction Bank (Asia) Corporation Limited (CCB (Asia)), pleaded guilty to four charges – one of agent soliciting an advantage; two of agent accepting an advantage and one 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.Hu Yi, 39, sole director of Gangchen International Business Consulting (Shenzhen) Company Limited (Gangchen), pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy for an agent to accept advantages.Principal Magistrate Miss Ivy Chui Yee-mei adjourned the case to May 21 for sentence, pending the background reports of the defendants. The duo were remanded in custody of the Correctional Services Department.At the material time, Law was a business sales executive of the Central Branch of CCB (Asia). He was responsible for opening personal bank accounts and answering enquiries from clients. Gangchen was an intermediary company providing commercial secretarial and bank account opening services.The court heard that between late April and mid-May 2023, Law solicited a bribe of $5,000 from a client and accepted bribes totalling $5,000 from two other clients for expediting the trio’s account opening process.During the period, Law also solicited bribes totalling $3,000 from Hu for expediting the account opening process of three clients referred by the latter but he eventually accepted bribes totalling $2,000.CCB (Asia) had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Gary Chan.The ICAC has been actively promoting corruption prevention services to banks and enhancing banking practitioners’ knowledge on the anti-corruption laws. The newly launched “Corruption Prevention Guide for Banks” assists banks in managing corruption risks in core operations, including accounts opening. An Ethics Promotion Programme for the Banking Industry was also launched to help bank staff to understand common corruption loopholes. The ICAC reminds members of the public not to bribe bank staff in exchange for its services, otherwise it may constitute breaches of the POBO. They should report to the ICAC immediately should they come across any suspicion of corruption in the organisations. ICAC 24-hour Report Corruption Hotline: 25 266 366.