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Sep 2024Woman charged by ICAC gets four weeks’ jail for offering RMB 2000 bribe to bank staff for reactivating accountA woman charged by the ICAC was today (September 20) sentenced to four weeks’ imprisonment at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts after admitting that she had offered a bribe of RMB 2,000 to a bank employee for assistance in reactivating her company’s bank account.Li Rong, 38, director and shareholder of Zhong Sheng Technology (Hongkong) Co. Limited (Zhong Sheng Technology), today pleaded guilty to one count of offering an advantage to an agent, contrary to section 9(2)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.In sentencing, Principal Magistrate Miss Ivy Chui Yee-mei remarked that bribery was a serious offence which warranted an immediate custodial sentence to serve as a deterrent and convey a proper message to the public. The principal magistrate took a starting point of six months’ imprisonment and reduced the jail term by one-third having considered the defendant’s guilty plea.The court heard that in 2013, the defendant opened a Business Integrated Account for Zhong Sheng Technology which she owned at the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC). As there were no transactions in the account for over 10 consecutive months since 2015, the account was turned “dormant” in HSBC’s system.In July 2019, the defendant, through phone enquiry, learnt that the bank account was in “dormant” status. She then visited HSBC’s Business Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui to reactivate the account. Since the defendant could not provide the required company documents, the procedures could not be completed on the same day. The defendant left the bank after exchanging contact information with the bank staff concerned, and later left Hong Kong.The court heard that on August 5, 2019, the defendant, through a communication application, offered a bribe of RMB 2,000 to the aforesaid bank staff for assisting in the procedures to reactivate the account of Zhong Sheng Technology. The bank staff did not accept the offer and immediately reported the matter to her supervisor.The defendant was arrested in August 2024 when she came to Hong Kong again, and was charged by the ICAC on September 2, 2024.HSBC rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Benny Chang.The ICAC reminds members of the public that bribery is a serious crime which they should avoid committing. The maximum penalty on conviction of the offence is a seven-year imprisonment and a fine of $500,000. Should anyone come across any suspicion of corruption, he or she should immediately report to the ICAC’s 24-hour Report Corruption Hotline 25 266 366. The ICAC collaborates closely with the banking industry and would take swift enforcement actions to uphold the public and stakeholders’ trust in Hong Kong’s banking system. The Community Relations Department has also produced a new educational video on bank account opening, which is being broadcast on different media platforms to remind members of the public not to breach the law. 19
Sep 2024Three years and eight months’ jail for ex-clerk of stationery company charged by ICAC over $7.2m fraud in reselling raw materials with false quotations for personal gainA former staff of a stationery company, charged by the ICAC earlier, was today (September 19) sentenced at the District Court to three years and eight months’ imprisonment for fraud by falsifying quotations, secretly purchasing plastic pellets at lower prices and reselling them to the stationery company at $7.2 million and pocketed inflated amounts totalling about $1.7 million. The offence was revealed in the course of a corruption investigation.Au Yeung Yin-tung, 40, former shipping clerk of Creative Wealth International Limited (Creative Wealth), was earlier convicted with one count of fraud, contrary to section 16A(1) of the Theft Ordinance.In sentencing, Deputy Judge Ms Veronica Heung Shuk-han reprimanded the defendant for breaching the trust her employer placed on her and showing no remorse. The judge added that the crime lasted about two and a half years, hence warranted a custodial sentence.At the material time, the defendant was a shipping clerk of Creative Wealth, a stationery manufacturer and supplier. She was assigned to procure raw materials, including plastics pellets, for a factory of Creative Wealth. For each purchase, the defendant was required to obtain quotations from various suppliers and make recommendation on the supplier to be selected.The court heard that on various occasions between December 2015 and May 2018, the defendant falsely represented to Creative Wealth that the prices of plastic pellets offered by Golden Dragon Consultants Limited (Golden Dragon) were the lowest amongst suppliers. During the period, upon her recommendation, Creative Wealth placed a total of 34 purchase orders with Golden Dragon for plastics pellets at over $7.2 million.ICAC investigation revealed that some of the suppliers had never provided any quotation to the defendant. In fact, the defendant had purchased the plastic pellets concerned from other suppliers at lower prices, inflated the prices by about $1.7 million in total and sold them to Creative Wealth through Golden Dragon.ICAC investigation revealed that Golden Dragon was in fact owned by the defendant’s husband. Some of the payments were eventually transferred from the bank account of Golden Dragon to the defendant’s bank accounts. However, the defendant had never declared to Creative Wealth her relationship with Golden Dragon.Creative Wealth had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.The prosecution was today represented by Public Prosecutor Katie Fong, assisted by ICAC officer Ann Sin. 16
Sep 2024Director of printing companies charged by ICAC with inflating purchase orders and bribing client with inflated amounts in purchases worth $1.08mA director of printing companies was charged by the ICAC today (September 16) for allegedly conspiring with a managing director of a fashion accessories company to inflate the amounts of 32 purchase orders and offering the price differences as bribes to the latter in return for business worth over $1.08 million.Nip Kam-ming, 70, director and shareholder of Wang Hing Printing Company Limited (Wing Hing Printing) and Sun Wang Hing Offset Printing Company Limited (Sun Wang Hing Offset Printing), faces four counts of offering an advantage to an agent, and one count of conspiracy to defraud, contrary to section 9(2)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance and Common Law respectively.The defendant was released on ICAC bail, pending his appearance at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (September 17) for mention. The prosecution will apply for case adjournment, pending preparing papers to transfer the case to the District Court.At the material time, Wing Hing Printing and Sun Wang Hing Offset Printing engaged in selling paper products. Tiger Button (Hong Kong) Limited (Tiger Button) was a fashion accessories company and a client of Wing Hing Printing and Sun Wang Hing Offset Printing. The managing director of Tiger Button was responsible for the company’s daily operation, including selection of suppliers and approving purchase orders.One of the charges alleges that between September 2021 and February 2023, the defendant conspired with the managing director of Tiger Button to defraud the latter’s company by falsely representing that the total price of 32 carton boxes purchase orders with Wing Hing Printing or Sun Wang Hing Offset Printing were worth over $1.08 million, and inducing Tiger Button to settle the relevant payments.Four other charges allege that between January 2022 and March 2023, the defendant offered the managing director of Tiger Button bribes totalling over $620,000 on four occasions, including amounts resulted in the aforementioned inflated purchase orders, as an inducement to or reward for Tiger Button placing orders with Wing Hing Printing and Sun Wang Hing Offset Printing.The ICAC investigation, arose from corruption complaint, revealed that in September 2021, the defendant had conspired with the managing director of Tiger Button to inflate the price of each purchase order of carton boxes and agreed to return the differences to the managing director as rebates.Had Tiger Button known that the prices of the purchase orders were inflated, it would not have approved the payments. Tiger Button prohibited its staff members from accepting advantages from others in relation to the company’s business or affairs.Tiger Button had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case. 12
Sep 2024Ex-clerk of stationery company charged by ICAC guilty of $7.2m fraud over resale of raw materials with false quotations for personal gainA former staff of a stationery company, charged by the ICAC, was today (September 12) convicted at the District Court for fraud by falsifying quotations, secretly purchasing plastic pellets at lower prices and reselling them to the stationery company at $7.2 million, pocketing inflated amounts totalling about $1.7 million. The offence was revealed in the course of a corruption investigation.Au Yeung Yin-tung, 40, former shipping clerk of Creative Wealth International Limited (Creative Wealth), was found guilty of one count of fraud, contrary to section 16A(1) of the Theft Ordinance. Deputy Judge Ms Veronica Heung Shuk-han remanded the defendant in the custody of the Correctional Services Department. The case was adjourned to September 19 for mitigation and sentence.At the material time, the defendant was a shipping clerk of Creative Wealth, a stationery manufacturer and supplier. She was assigned to procure raw materials, including plastics pellets, for a factory of Creative Wealth. For each purchase, the defendant was required to obtain quotations from various suppliers and make recommendation on the supplier to be selected.The court heard that on various occasions between December 2015 and May 2018, the defendant falsely represented to Creative Wealth that the prices of plastic pellets offered by Golden Dragon Consultants Limited (Golden Dragon) were the lowest amongst suppliers. During the period, upon her recommendation, Creative Wealth placed a total of 34 purchase orders with Golden Dragon for plastics pellets at over $7.2 million.ICAC investigation revealed that some of the suppliers had never provided any quotation to the defendant. In fact, the defendant had purchased the plastic pellets concerned from other suppliers at lower prices, inflated the prices by about $1.7 million in total and sold them to Creative Wealth through Golden Dragon. ICAC investigation revealed that Golden Dragon was in fact owned by the defendant’s husband. Some of the payments were eventually transferred from the bank account of Golden Dragon to the defendant’s bank accounts. However, the defendant had never declared to Creative Wealth her relationship with Golden Dragon.Creative Wealth had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.The prosecution was today represented by Public Prosecutor Katie Fong, assisted by ICAC officer May Lam. 12
Sep 2024Two former formwork team leaders of public housing project subcontractor charged by ICAC with bribery over workers’ employmentThe ICAC today (September 12) charged two former formwork team leaders of a public housing estate construction project subcontractor with allegedly accepting and soliciting bribes totalling about $44,000 from two workers as a condition for them to be employed by the subcontractor.Tse Lam Hung-kay, 33; and Liu Wei, 47, both were former team leaders of formwork workers of Bik Hoi Civil Engineering Company Limited (Bik Hoi). Tse faces seven counts of agent accepting an advantage while Liu faces one count of agent soliciting an advantage and one of agent accepting an advantage, contrary to section 9(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.The duo were released on ICAC bail, pending their appearance at the Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Courts on next Monday (September 16) for plea.At the material time, Bik Hoi was the formwork subcontractor of a public housing estate construction project under Housing Department in Kwun Tong. The two defendants were team leaders of formwork workers responsible for supervising other formwork workers.It is alleged that between December 2021 and June 2022, Tse Lam Hung-kay accepted bribes totalling about $39,000 from two workers on seven occasions as a condition for them to be employed by Bik Hoi. In addition, Liu Wei is alleged to have solicited rebates from the two aforementioned workers in July 2022 for the same purpose, and accepted about $4,800 from one of the two workers.The ICAC investigation, arose from relevant corruption complaints, revealed that the daily wage of the two workers was $1,450. The two defendants were alleged to have accepted a daily rebate of $200 from them.Bik Hoi prohibited its employees from soliciting or accepting advantages for offering assistance in others’ employment.Bik Hoi had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.The ICAC stresses that soliciting or accepting bribes for assisting others in employment is a serious bribery offence. The maximum penalty on conviction of the offence is a seven-year imprisonment and a fine of $500,000. The ICAC also urges construction workers not to tolerate corruption. Should they be asked to pay bribes in exchange for their employment, they should reject and report to the ICAC immediately through the 24-hour hotline (25 266 366).
Sep 2024Woman charged by ICAC gets four weeks’ jail for offering RMB 2000 bribe to bank staff for reactivating accountA woman charged by the ICAC was today (September 20) sentenced to four weeks’ imprisonment at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts after admitting that she had offered a bribe of RMB 2,000 to a bank employee for assistance in reactivating her company’s bank account.Li Rong, 38, director and shareholder of Zhong Sheng Technology (Hongkong) Co. Limited (Zhong Sheng Technology), today pleaded guilty to one count of offering an advantage to an agent, contrary to section 9(2)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.In sentencing, Principal Magistrate Miss Ivy Chui Yee-mei remarked that bribery was a serious offence which warranted an immediate custodial sentence to serve as a deterrent and convey a proper message to the public. The principal magistrate took a starting point of six months’ imprisonment and reduced the jail term by one-third having considered the defendant’s guilty plea.The court heard that in 2013, the defendant opened a Business Integrated Account for Zhong Sheng Technology which she owned at the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC). As there were no transactions in the account for over 10 consecutive months since 2015, the account was turned “dormant” in HSBC’s system.In July 2019, the defendant, through phone enquiry, learnt that the bank account was in “dormant” status. She then visited HSBC’s Business Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui to reactivate the account. Since the defendant could not provide the required company documents, the procedures could not be completed on the same day. The defendant left the bank after exchanging contact information with the bank staff concerned, and later left Hong Kong.The court heard that on August 5, 2019, the defendant, through a communication application, offered a bribe of RMB 2,000 to the aforesaid bank staff for assisting in the procedures to reactivate the account of Zhong Sheng Technology. The bank staff did not accept the offer and immediately reported the matter to her supervisor.The defendant was arrested in August 2024 when she came to Hong Kong again, and was charged by the ICAC on September 2, 2024.HSBC rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Benny Chang.The ICAC reminds members of the public that bribery is a serious crime which they should avoid committing. The maximum penalty on conviction of the offence is a seven-year imprisonment and a fine of $500,000. Should anyone come across any suspicion of corruption, he or she should immediately report to the ICAC’s 24-hour Report Corruption Hotline 25 266 366. The ICAC collaborates closely with the banking industry and would take swift enforcement actions to uphold the public and stakeholders’ trust in Hong Kong’s banking system. The Community Relations Department has also produced a new educational video on bank account opening, which is being broadcast on different media platforms to remind members of the public not to breach the law. 19
Sep 2024Three years and eight months’ jail for ex-clerk of stationery company charged by ICAC over $7.2m fraud in reselling raw materials with false quotations for personal gainA former staff of a stationery company, charged by the ICAC earlier, was today (September 19) sentenced at the District Court to three years and eight months’ imprisonment for fraud by falsifying quotations, secretly purchasing plastic pellets at lower prices and reselling them to the stationery company at $7.2 million and pocketed inflated amounts totalling about $1.7 million. The offence was revealed in the course of a corruption investigation.Au Yeung Yin-tung, 40, former shipping clerk of Creative Wealth International Limited (Creative Wealth), was earlier convicted with one count of fraud, contrary to section 16A(1) of the Theft Ordinance.In sentencing, Deputy Judge Ms Veronica Heung Shuk-han reprimanded the defendant for breaching the trust her employer placed on her and showing no remorse. The judge added that the crime lasted about two and a half years, hence warranted a custodial sentence.At the material time, the defendant was a shipping clerk of Creative Wealth, a stationery manufacturer and supplier. She was assigned to procure raw materials, including plastics pellets, for a factory of Creative Wealth. For each purchase, the defendant was required to obtain quotations from various suppliers and make recommendation on the supplier to be selected.The court heard that on various occasions between December 2015 and May 2018, the defendant falsely represented to Creative Wealth that the prices of plastic pellets offered by Golden Dragon Consultants Limited (Golden Dragon) were the lowest amongst suppliers. During the period, upon her recommendation, Creative Wealth placed a total of 34 purchase orders with Golden Dragon for plastics pellets at over $7.2 million.ICAC investigation revealed that some of the suppliers had never provided any quotation to the defendant. In fact, the defendant had purchased the plastic pellets concerned from other suppliers at lower prices, inflated the prices by about $1.7 million in total and sold them to Creative Wealth through Golden Dragon.ICAC investigation revealed that Golden Dragon was in fact owned by the defendant’s husband. Some of the payments were eventually transferred from the bank account of Golden Dragon to the defendant’s bank accounts. However, the defendant had never declared to Creative Wealth her relationship with Golden Dragon.Creative Wealth had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.The prosecution was today represented by Public Prosecutor Katie Fong, assisted by ICAC officer Ann Sin. 16
Sep 2024Director of printing companies charged by ICAC with inflating purchase orders and bribing client with inflated amounts in purchases worth $1.08mA director of printing companies was charged by the ICAC today (September 16) for allegedly conspiring with a managing director of a fashion accessories company to inflate the amounts of 32 purchase orders and offering the price differences as bribes to the latter in return for business worth over $1.08 million.Nip Kam-ming, 70, director and shareholder of Wang Hing Printing Company Limited (Wing Hing Printing) and Sun Wang Hing Offset Printing Company Limited (Sun Wang Hing Offset Printing), faces four counts of offering an advantage to an agent, and one count of conspiracy to defraud, contrary to section 9(2)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance and Common Law respectively.The defendant was released on ICAC bail, pending his appearance at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (September 17) for mention. The prosecution will apply for case adjournment, pending preparing papers to transfer the case to the District Court.At the material time, Wing Hing Printing and Sun Wang Hing Offset Printing engaged in selling paper products. Tiger Button (Hong Kong) Limited (Tiger Button) was a fashion accessories company and a client of Wing Hing Printing and Sun Wang Hing Offset Printing. The managing director of Tiger Button was responsible for the company’s daily operation, including selection of suppliers and approving purchase orders.One of the charges alleges that between September 2021 and February 2023, the defendant conspired with the managing director of Tiger Button to defraud the latter’s company by falsely representing that the total price of 32 carton boxes purchase orders with Wing Hing Printing or Sun Wang Hing Offset Printing were worth over $1.08 million, and inducing Tiger Button to settle the relevant payments.Four other charges allege that between January 2022 and March 2023, the defendant offered the managing director of Tiger Button bribes totalling over $620,000 on four occasions, including amounts resulted in the aforementioned inflated purchase orders, as an inducement to or reward for Tiger Button placing orders with Wing Hing Printing and Sun Wang Hing Offset Printing.The ICAC investigation, arose from corruption complaint, revealed that in September 2021, the defendant had conspired with the managing director of Tiger Button to inflate the price of each purchase order of carton boxes and agreed to return the differences to the managing director as rebates.Had Tiger Button known that the prices of the purchase orders were inflated, it would not have approved the payments. Tiger Button prohibited its staff members from accepting advantages from others in relation to the company’s business or affairs.Tiger Button had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case. 12
Sep 2024Ex-clerk of stationery company charged by ICAC guilty of $7.2m fraud over resale of raw materials with false quotations for personal gainA former staff of a stationery company, charged by the ICAC, was today (September 12) convicted at the District Court for fraud by falsifying quotations, secretly purchasing plastic pellets at lower prices and reselling them to the stationery company at $7.2 million, pocketing inflated amounts totalling about $1.7 million. The offence was revealed in the course of a corruption investigation.Au Yeung Yin-tung, 40, former shipping clerk of Creative Wealth International Limited (Creative Wealth), was found guilty of one count of fraud, contrary to section 16A(1) of the Theft Ordinance. Deputy Judge Ms Veronica Heung Shuk-han remanded the defendant in the custody of the Correctional Services Department. The case was adjourned to September 19 for mitigation and sentence.At the material time, the defendant was a shipping clerk of Creative Wealth, a stationery manufacturer and supplier. She was assigned to procure raw materials, including plastics pellets, for a factory of Creative Wealth. For each purchase, the defendant was required to obtain quotations from various suppliers and make recommendation on the supplier to be selected.The court heard that on various occasions between December 2015 and May 2018, the defendant falsely represented to Creative Wealth that the prices of plastic pellets offered by Golden Dragon Consultants Limited (Golden Dragon) were the lowest amongst suppliers. During the period, upon her recommendation, Creative Wealth placed a total of 34 purchase orders with Golden Dragon for plastics pellets at over $7.2 million.ICAC investigation revealed that some of the suppliers had never provided any quotation to the defendant. In fact, the defendant had purchased the plastic pellets concerned from other suppliers at lower prices, inflated the prices by about $1.7 million in total and sold them to Creative Wealth through Golden Dragon. ICAC investigation revealed that Golden Dragon was in fact owned by the defendant’s husband. Some of the payments were eventually transferred from the bank account of Golden Dragon to the defendant’s bank accounts. However, the defendant had never declared to Creative Wealth her relationship with Golden Dragon.Creative Wealth had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.The prosecution was today represented by Public Prosecutor Katie Fong, assisted by ICAC officer May Lam. 12
Sep 2024Two former formwork team leaders of public housing project subcontractor charged by ICAC with bribery over workers’ employmentThe ICAC today (September 12) charged two former formwork team leaders of a public housing estate construction project subcontractor with allegedly accepting and soliciting bribes totalling about $44,000 from two workers as a condition for them to be employed by the subcontractor.Tse Lam Hung-kay, 33; and Liu Wei, 47, both were former team leaders of formwork workers of Bik Hoi Civil Engineering Company Limited (Bik Hoi). Tse faces seven counts of agent accepting an advantage while Liu faces one count of agent soliciting an advantage and one of agent accepting an advantage, contrary to section 9(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.The duo were released on ICAC bail, pending their appearance at the Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Courts on next Monday (September 16) for plea.At the material time, Bik Hoi was the formwork subcontractor of a public housing estate construction project under Housing Department in Kwun Tong. The two defendants were team leaders of formwork workers responsible for supervising other formwork workers.It is alleged that between December 2021 and June 2022, Tse Lam Hung-kay accepted bribes totalling about $39,000 from two workers on seven occasions as a condition for them to be employed by Bik Hoi. In addition, Liu Wei is alleged to have solicited rebates from the two aforementioned workers in July 2022 for the same purpose, and accepted about $4,800 from one of the two workers.The ICAC investigation, arose from relevant corruption complaints, revealed that the daily wage of the two workers was $1,450. The two defendants were alleged to have accepted a daily rebate of $200 from them.Bik Hoi prohibited its employees from soliciting or accepting advantages for offering assistance in others’ employment.Bik Hoi had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.The ICAC stresses that soliciting or accepting bribes for assisting others in employment is a serious bribery offence. The maximum penalty on conviction of the offence is a seven-year imprisonment and a fine of $500,000. The ICAC also urges construction workers not to tolerate corruption. Should they be asked to pay bribes in exchange for their employment, they should reject and report to the ICAC immediately through the 24-hour hotline (25 266 366).