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Apr 2025Ex-manager of fabric company charged by ICAC gets 30 months’ jail for $1m fraudulent orders and money launderingA former project manager of a fabric company, charged by the ICAC for making false representations to cause three customers to place orders worth totalling about $1 million with companies owned by his associates and laundering crime proceeds of about $720,000, was today (April 22) sentenced to 30 months’ imprisonment at the District Court.Li Ka-wing, 53, former project manager of Showtex Hong Kong Limited (Showtex HK), was today sentenced to 30 months’ imprisonment. He earlier pleaded guilty to a total of nine charges, namely three counts of fraud and one of attempted fraud, contrary to section 16A of the Theft Ordinance and section 159G of the Crimes Ordinance; as well as five counts of dealing with property known or believed to represent proceeds of an indictable offence (commonly known as money laundering), contrary to section 25(1) of the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance.In sentencing, Deputy Judge Ms Amy Chan Wai-mun remarked that the present case was serious in nature. She reprimanded the defendant for orchestrating the fraudulent scheme, in breach of the trust that was placed on him.A co-defendant of the case, Zhao Bingguo, 42, operator of Maban Trading Co., Limited (Maban), earlier pleaded guilty to the aforesaid five counts of money laundering at the District Court and received a jail term of one year.Li was a project manager of Showtex HK responsible for sourcing business when the offences took place between June 2018 and April 2019. Showtex HK supplied flame retardant curtain fabrics, installed stage projection screen and provided event decoration services.The court heard that Li had made false representations to three customers of ShowtexHK, respectively claiming that Maban and another multimedia company were subcontractors of Showtex HK, dealt with the same factory with Showtex HK or Showtex HK was unable to provide relevant services, causing the three aforesaid customers to place orders with Maban or the multimedia company.The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint. Enquires revealed that Maban and the multimedia company were not subcontractors of Showtex HK and had no dealings with Showtex HK or its factory. It was revealed that at the material time, the three customers had placed orders worth totalling about $1 million with Maban and the multimedia company.Inquiries revealed that although the three aforesaid customers placed orders with Maban and the multimedia company, Li arranged Showtex HK to provide some of the items in the orders through fraudulent means. Part of the payment of the orders made by the customers to Maban and the multimedia company were eventually deposited into the bank accounts of Li or his family members.Investigations also revealed that Zhao was the operator of Maban, which engaged in knife trading. Zhao and the operator of the aforesaid multimedia company were former employees of Showtex HK.Li and Zhao dealt with crime proceeds of about $720,000 in relation to the scheme via the bank account of Maban, the court was told.Showtex HK has rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.The prosecution was today represented by prosecuting counsel Bernard Chung, assisted by ICAC officers Henry Cheung, Keith Yan and Ruby Ho. 22
Apr 2025Subcontractor of airport expansion works charged by ICAC with $1m bribery over exploitation of workersFollowing thorough inquiries into corruption complaints alleging corruption and exploitation involving importer workers, the ICAC today (April 22) brought charges to a subcontractor of the Terminal 2 expansion works of the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) for allegedly collecting bribes totalling over $1 million from 21 imported workers in relation to their employment.Chan Sin-tai, 62, director cum shareholder of Full Spirit Marble Factory Limited (Full Spirit); faces one count of conspiracy for an agent to accept advantages, contrary to section 9(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance and section 159A of the Crimes Ordinance. The defendant was released on ICAC bail, pending his appearance at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (April 23) for mention.At the material time, Gammon Construction Limited (Gammon) was the main contractor for the Terminal 2 expansion works of the HKIA. Due to labour shortage in the construction industry, Gammon applied for importation quota through the Development Bureau’s Labour Importation Scheme for Construction Sector for its subcontractors. The daily wage of the imported workers was $1,350. Based on 22 working days per month, Gammon would release a monthly salary of $29,700 to the workers.Full Spirit was one of the subcontractors of Gammon, which was also involved in the recruitment of workers in the Mainland. Gammon prohibited its employees or agents, including Full Spirit, from soliciting or accepting any advantages from others in relation to its business and affairs.It is alleged that between January and October 2024, Chan conspired together with an imported team leader to accept bribes from 21 imported workers for assisting the latter to secure and continue their employments with Gammon.ICAC enquiries revealed that Chan had allegedly informed the imported workers through the team leader that their actual daily wages were between $780 and $1,150 and requested them to return the difference between the daily wage according to the contract and the actual daily wage to Full Spirit, totalling over $1 million.Meanwhile, in a separate case, another imported team leader was charged by the ICAC today with conspiracy for an agent to accept advantages. The defendant will appear at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (April 23) for plea.Wang Zhenzhong, 36, was employed by Gammon at the material time responsible for leading eight imported workers to work at the Terminal 2 expansion works project. It is alleged that between April and October 2024, Wang conspired together with a middleman to accept bribes from eight imported workers to assist the latter to continue their employment with Gammon. ICAC investigation revealed that Wang had collected bribes totalling over $35,000 from one of the imported workers.ICAC inquiries revealed that the workers concerned in the two cases endured the exploitation for fear of losing their jobs.An ICAC spokesperson notes that to enhance imported workers’ understanding of Hong Kong’s anti-corruption laws, the ICAC would arrange corruption prevention talks for them within eight weeks of their arrival. The Commission will continue to disseminate anti-corruption messages through different channels.The ICAC does not tolerate corruption and will continue to collaborate with the Development Bureau and other stakeholders to prevent similar crimes. Should construction workers be asked to pay bribes in exchange for their employment, they should reject and report to the ICAC immediately. ICAC’s report corruption hotline: 25 266 366.Gammon rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the cases. 14
Apr 2025Court orders to confiscate crime proceeds of $2.35m from convicted garment accessories trading company director charged by ICAC with briberyA director of a garment accessories trading company, charged by the ICAC, was earlier sentenced to 22 months’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to offering bribes to employees of two garment manufacturers in exchange for various purchase orders between 2014 and 2019. The District Court today (April 14) ordered to confiscate from the defendant crime proceeds of $2.35 million, being the profits he made in the case.Ho Kwok-wing, 49, sole director-cum-shareholder of Po Yuen Hong Company Limited (Po Yuen Hong), was sentenced to 22 months’ imprisonment at the District Court in October 2022 after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy for an agent to accept an advantage and two counts of conspiracy to offer an advantage to an agent, contrary to sections 9(1)(a) and 9(2)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance and section 159A of the Crimes Ordinance.Deputy Judge Ms Winnie Lau Yee-wan today allowed the prosecution’s application in relation to two of the charges and ordered to confiscate from the defendant crime proceeds of $2.35 million, being the profits he made in the present case. The defendant was ordered to satisfy the confiscation order within six months, failing which he will have to serve an additional term of imprisonment of 35 months. He had already made a repayment in relation to the remaining charge to the garment manufacturer concerned.The court heard that Po Yuen Hong was a garment accessories trading company. At the material time, the defendant made an agreement with a senior purchaser of a nightclothes and swimwear manufacturer that he would offer bribes to the latter in exchange for an increase in the purchase orders placed with Po Yuen Hong. Meanwhile, purchase orders placed by the manufacturer increased significantly and Po Yuen Hong became its major supplier.The defendant had also obtained purchase orders of a manufacturer of denim clothing by a similar corrupt practice. He agreed to offer bribes to a purchasing clerk of the manufacturer in exchange for purchase orders from the company.The prosecution was today represented by Acting Senior Public Prosecutor Matthew Hui, assisted by ICAC officers Gavin Lau and Keith Kwok. 03
Apr 2025Ex-bank employee among trio charged by ICAC for allegedly conspiring with intermediary to accept bribes over account openingA former bank employee and a couple, both insurance agents cum intermediaries, were charged by the ICAC yesterday (April 2) for allegedly conspiring together for the bank employee to accept bribes totalling over $150,000 for assisting clients of the intermediaries to open bank accounts.Lo Wing-hang, 30, former insurance specialist of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC); and Han Jie, 35, and his wife Zhou Yinying, 34, both insurance agents cum intermediaries; jointly face one count of conspiracy for an agent to accept an advantage, contrary to section 9(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance and section 159A of the Crimes Ordinance.The trio were released on ICAC bail, pending their appearance at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts next Monday (April 7) for mention.It is alleged that between November 2022 and December 2024, the three defendants had conspired together for Lo to accept bribes totalling over $150,000 from Han and Zhou for assisting clients referred by Han to open bank accounts with HSBC.ICAC enquiries revealed that Han had referred over 200 clients to Lo for bank account opening during the abovementioned two years. It is alleged that Lo had accepted a reward, ranging from a few hundred dollars to $1,500, for each successful application.HSBC rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case. 28
Mar 2025Then property manager charged by ICAC faces 56 months’ jail for stealing $11m minor works payments from three estatesAn ICAC investigation, prompted by a corruption complaint, revealed that a then property manager of a property management company had stolen minor works payments of a public housing estate and two Home Ownership Scheme (HOS) estates totalling over $11 million. The property manager was today (March 28) sentenced to 56 months’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to theft at the District Court.Lee Ho-yin, 46, then regional manager of Easy Living Consultant Limited (Easy Living), today pleaded guilty to four counts of theft, contrary to section 9 of the Theft Ordinance.In sentencing, Deputy District Judge Mr Jason Wan Siu-ming remarked that Lee had stolen works payments on over 300 occasions, constituting a serious breach of trust. The serious nature of the offences in the present case warranted an imprisonment of over seven years. Having considered Lee’s guilty plea and other factors, a 56-month jail term was handed down.The court heard that at the material time, Easy Living provided property management services to a public housing estate, Lower Wong Tai Sin (2) Estate, and two HOS estates in Yau Tong – Ko Cheung Court and Yau Mei Court. Lee was originally a senior property manager of Easy Living posted to Lower Wong Tai Sin (2) Estate. After he was promoted to regional manager in mid-2021, he was also in charge of the services provided to Ko Cheung Court and Yau Mei Court. Among other duties, Lee was responsible for settling payments with the works contractors.Easy Living operated various bank accounts for settling maintenance works and recurring expenses for the three estates. To withdraw funds less than $60,000 from those bank accounts, joint signatures of two authorised signatories of the company were required. Lee was one of the authorised signatories.The ICAC investigation stemmed from a corruption complaint concerning the works payments of the three estates. Enquiries revealed that between May 2019 and May 2022, Lee had stolen sums totalling over $11 million from those bank accounts.It was also found that during the abovementioned period, Lee had caused Easy Living to issue 319 cheques to settle various minor works payments by fraudulent means. While various contractors were the purported payees of the cheques in the sum ranging from about $1,900 to over $58,000 each, the cheques were eventually deposited into the personal bank accounts of the Lee and his wife.The Housing Department and Easy Living rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.The prosecution was today represented by Senior Public Prosecutor Douglas Lau, assisted by ICAC officer Anthony Chan.The ICAC attaches great importance to the integrity standard of the property management sector. In view of the present case, the ICAC has reviewed the relevant payment approving process and works monitoring mechanism and provided corresponding preventive measures to the Housing Department in order to mitigate the corruption risks. To further enhance the corruption prevention capabilities of the sector, the Commission has launched the Corruption Prevention Guide for Property Management Companies to assist property management companies in strengthening their internal control measures for managing corruption risks, including financial and account management. The ICAC regularly organises continuing professional development courses and developed self-learning training materials for practitioners. Additionally, it disseminates anti-corruption information to property management companies through the “Integrity Property Management League”, adopting a multifaceted strategy to enhance the industry’s integrity level.
Apr 2025Ex-manager of fabric company charged by ICAC gets 30 months’ jail for $1m fraudulent orders and money launderingA former project manager of a fabric company, charged by the ICAC for making false representations to cause three customers to place orders worth totalling about $1 million with companies owned by his associates and laundering crime proceeds of about $720,000, was today (April 22) sentenced to 30 months’ imprisonment at the District Court.Li Ka-wing, 53, former project manager of Showtex Hong Kong Limited (Showtex HK), was today sentenced to 30 months’ imprisonment. He earlier pleaded guilty to a total of nine charges, namely three counts of fraud and one of attempted fraud, contrary to section 16A of the Theft Ordinance and section 159G of the Crimes Ordinance; as well as five counts of dealing with property known or believed to represent proceeds of an indictable offence (commonly known as money laundering), contrary to section 25(1) of the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance.In sentencing, Deputy Judge Ms Amy Chan Wai-mun remarked that the present case was serious in nature. She reprimanded the defendant for orchestrating the fraudulent scheme, in breach of the trust that was placed on him.A co-defendant of the case, Zhao Bingguo, 42, operator of Maban Trading Co., Limited (Maban), earlier pleaded guilty to the aforesaid five counts of money laundering at the District Court and received a jail term of one year.Li was a project manager of Showtex HK responsible for sourcing business when the offences took place between June 2018 and April 2019. Showtex HK supplied flame retardant curtain fabrics, installed stage projection screen and provided event decoration services.The court heard that Li had made false representations to three customers of ShowtexHK, respectively claiming that Maban and another multimedia company were subcontractors of Showtex HK, dealt with the same factory with Showtex HK or Showtex HK was unable to provide relevant services, causing the three aforesaid customers to place orders with Maban or the multimedia company.The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint. Enquires revealed that Maban and the multimedia company were not subcontractors of Showtex HK and had no dealings with Showtex HK or its factory. It was revealed that at the material time, the three customers had placed orders worth totalling about $1 million with Maban and the multimedia company.Inquiries revealed that although the three aforesaid customers placed orders with Maban and the multimedia company, Li arranged Showtex HK to provide some of the items in the orders through fraudulent means. Part of the payment of the orders made by the customers to Maban and the multimedia company were eventually deposited into the bank accounts of Li or his family members.Investigations also revealed that Zhao was the operator of Maban, which engaged in knife trading. Zhao and the operator of the aforesaid multimedia company were former employees of Showtex HK.Li and Zhao dealt with crime proceeds of about $720,000 in relation to the scheme via the bank account of Maban, the court was told.Showtex HK has rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.The prosecution was today represented by prosecuting counsel Bernard Chung, assisted by ICAC officers Henry Cheung, Keith Yan and Ruby Ho. 22
Apr 2025Subcontractor of airport expansion works charged by ICAC with $1m bribery over exploitation of workersFollowing thorough inquiries into corruption complaints alleging corruption and exploitation involving importer workers, the ICAC today (April 22) brought charges to a subcontractor of the Terminal 2 expansion works of the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) for allegedly collecting bribes totalling over $1 million from 21 imported workers in relation to their employment.Chan Sin-tai, 62, director cum shareholder of Full Spirit Marble Factory Limited (Full Spirit); faces one count of conspiracy for an agent to accept advantages, contrary to section 9(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance and section 159A of the Crimes Ordinance. The defendant was released on ICAC bail, pending his appearance at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (April 23) for mention.At the material time, Gammon Construction Limited (Gammon) was the main contractor for the Terminal 2 expansion works of the HKIA. Due to labour shortage in the construction industry, Gammon applied for importation quota through the Development Bureau’s Labour Importation Scheme for Construction Sector for its subcontractors. The daily wage of the imported workers was $1,350. Based on 22 working days per month, Gammon would release a monthly salary of $29,700 to the workers.Full Spirit was one of the subcontractors of Gammon, which was also involved in the recruitment of workers in the Mainland. Gammon prohibited its employees or agents, including Full Spirit, from soliciting or accepting any advantages from others in relation to its business and affairs.It is alleged that between January and October 2024, Chan conspired together with an imported team leader to accept bribes from 21 imported workers for assisting the latter to secure and continue their employments with Gammon.ICAC enquiries revealed that Chan had allegedly informed the imported workers through the team leader that their actual daily wages were between $780 and $1,150 and requested them to return the difference between the daily wage according to the contract and the actual daily wage to Full Spirit, totalling over $1 million.Meanwhile, in a separate case, another imported team leader was charged by the ICAC today with conspiracy for an agent to accept advantages. The defendant will appear at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (April 23) for plea.Wang Zhenzhong, 36, was employed by Gammon at the material time responsible for leading eight imported workers to work at the Terminal 2 expansion works project. It is alleged that between April and October 2024, Wang conspired together with a middleman to accept bribes from eight imported workers to assist the latter to continue their employment with Gammon. ICAC investigation revealed that Wang had collected bribes totalling over $35,000 from one of the imported workers.ICAC inquiries revealed that the workers concerned in the two cases endured the exploitation for fear of losing their jobs.An ICAC spokesperson notes that to enhance imported workers’ understanding of Hong Kong’s anti-corruption laws, the ICAC would arrange corruption prevention talks for them within eight weeks of their arrival. The Commission will continue to disseminate anti-corruption messages through different channels.The ICAC does not tolerate corruption and will continue to collaborate with the Development Bureau and other stakeholders to prevent similar crimes. Should construction workers be asked to pay bribes in exchange for their employment, they should reject and report to the ICAC immediately. ICAC’s report corruption hotline: 25 266 366.Gammon rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the cases. 14
Apr 2025Court orders to confiscate crime proceeds of $2.35m from convicted garment accessories trading company director charged by ICAC with briberyA director of a garment accessories trading company, charged by the ICAC, was earlier sentenced to 22 months’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to offering bribes to employees of two garment manufacturers in exchange for various purchase orders between 2014 and 2019. The District Court today (April 14) ordered to confiscate from the defendant crime proceeds of $2.35 million, being the profits he made in the case.Ho Kwok-wing, 49, sole director-cum-shareholder of Po Yuen Hong Company Limited (Po Yuen Hong), was sentenced to 22 months’ imprisonment at the District Court in October 2022 after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy for an agent to accept an advantage and two counts of conspiracy to offer an advantage to an agent, contrary to sections 9(1)(a) and 9(2)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance and section 159A of the Crimes Ordinance.Deputy Judge Ms Winnie Lau Yee-wan today allowed the prosecution’s application in relation to two of the charges and ordered to confiscate from the defendant crime proceeds of $2.35 million, being the profits he made in the present case. The defendant was ordered to satisfy the confiscation order within six months, failing which he will have to serve an additional term of imprisonment of 35 months. He had already made a repayment in relation to the remaining charge to the garment manufacturer concerned.The court heard that Po Yuen Hong was a garment accessories trading company. At the material time, the defendant made an agreement with a senior purchaser of a nightclothes and swimwear manufacturer that he would offer bribes to the latter in exchange for an increase in the purchase orders placed with Po Yuen Hong. Meanwhile, purchase orders placed by the manufacturer increased significantly and Po Yuen Hong became its major supplier.The defendant had also obtained purchase orders of a manufacturer of denim clothing by a similar corrupt practice. He agreed to offer bribes to a purchasing clerk of the manufacturer in exchange for purchase orders from the company.The prosecution was today represented by Acting Senior Public Prosecutor Matthew Hui, assisted by ICAC officers Gavin Lau and Keith Kwok. 03
Apr 2025Ex-bank employee among trio charged by ICAC for allegedly conspiring with intermediary to accept bribes over account openingA former bank employee and a couple, both insurance agents cum intermediaries, were charged by the ICAC yesterday (April 2) for allegedly conspiring together for the bank employee to accept bribes totalling over $150,000 for assisting clients of the intermediaries to open bank accounts.Lo Wing-hang, 30, former insurance specialist of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC); and Han Jie, 35, and his wife Zhou Yinying, 34, both insurance agents cum intermediaries; jointly face one count of conspiracy for an agent to accept an advantage, contrary to section 9(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance and section 159A of the Crimes Ordinance.The trio were released on ICAC bail, pending their appearance at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts next Monday (April 7) for mention.It is alleged that between November 2022 and December 2024, the three defendants had conspired together for Lo to accept bribes totalling over $150,000 from Han and Zhou for assisting clients referred by Han to open bank accounts with HSBC.ICAC enquiries revealed that Han had referred over 200 clients to Lo for bank account opening during the abovementioned two years. It is alleged that Lo had accepted a reward, ranging from a few hundred dollars to $1,500, for each successful application.HSBC rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case. 28
Mar 2025Then property manager charged by ICAC faces 56 months’ jail for stealing $11m minor works payments from three estatesAn ICAC investigation, prompted by a corruption complaint, revealed that a then property manager of a property management company had stolen minor works payments of a public housing estate and two Home Ownership Scheme (HOS) estates totalling over $11 million. The property manager was today (March 28) sentenced to 56 months’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to theft at the District Court.Lee Ho-yin, 46, then regional manager of Easy Living Consultant Limited (Easy Living), today pleaded guilty to four counts of theft, contrary to section 9 of the Theft Ordinance.In sentencing, Deputy District Judge Mr Jason Wan Siu-ming remarked that Lee had stolen works payments on over 300 occasions, constituting a serious breach of trust. The serious nature of the offences in the present case warranted an imprisonment of over seven years. Having considered Lee’s guilty plea and other factors, a 56-month jail term was handed down.The court heard that at the material time, Easy Living provided property management services to a public housing estate, Lower Wong Tai Sin (2) Estate, and two HOS estates in Yau Tong – Ko Cheung Court and Yau Mei Court. Lee was originally a senior property manager of Easy Living posted to Lower Wong Tai Sin (2) Estate. After he was promoted to regional manager in mid-2021, he was also in charge of the services provided to Ko Cheung Court and Yau Mei Court. Among other duties, Lee was responsible for settling payments with the works contractors.Easy Living operated various bank accounts for settling maintenance works and recurring expenses for the three estates. To withdraw funds less than $60,000 from those bank accounts, joint signatures of two authorised signatories of the company were required. Lee was one of the authorised signatories.The ICAC investigation stemmed from a corruption complaint concerning the works payments of the three estates. Enquiries revealed that between May 2019 and May 2022, Lee had stolen sums totalling over $11 million from those bank accounts.It was also found that during the abovementioned period, Lee had caused Easy Living to issue 319 cheques to settle various minor works payments by fraudulent means. While various contractors were the purported payees of the cheques in the sum ranging from about $1,900 to over $58,000 each, the cheques were eventually deposited into the personal bank accounts of the Lee and his wife.The Housing Department and Easy Living rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.The prosecution was today represented by Senior Public Prosecutor Douglas Lau, assisted by ICAC officer Anthony Chan.The ICAC attaches great importance to the integrity standard of the property management sector. In view of the present case, the ICAC has reviewed the relevant payment approving process and works monitoring mechanism and provided corresponding preventive measures to the Housing Department in order to mitigate the corruption risks. To further enhance the corruption prevention capabilities of the sector, the Commission has launched the Corruption Prevention Guide for Property Management Companies to assist property management companies in strengthening their internal control measures for managing corruption risks, including financial and account management. The ICAC regularly organises continuing professional development courses and developed self-learning training materials for practitioners. Additionally, it disseminates anti-corruption information to property management companies through the “Integrity Property Management League”, adopting a multifaceted strategy to enhance the industry’s integrity level.