Pair netted in ICAC undercover operation jailed for money laundering
2002-12-30
Two men, earlier arrested in an ICAC undercover operation, were today (Monday) sent to jail for their roles in a money laundering scam.
Hui Wei-chun, 39, unemployed, received a jail term of two years and 10 months, while Cheung Kam-lun, 54, merchant, was jailed for two years and nine months.
In sentencing, District Court Deputy Judge Tong Man said immediate custodial sentences were necessary to deter money laundering scams of such a sophisticated nature.
The judge also rejected the defence's claim of "entrapment" in mitigation, adding that the defendants would have come up with a similar plot had they been approached by persons other than ICAC undercover officers.
Hui earlier pleaded guilty to one count of inciting to deal with property known or believed to represent proceeds of an indictable offence, one of possessing a forged Hong Kong Identity Card, and one of transferring a forged Hong Kong Identity Card.
Cheung was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to deal with property known or believed to be proceeds of an indictable offence.
The case arose from a corruption complaint, alleging that some bank employees might have accepted advantages for offering assistance in money laundering. ICAC undercover operation uncovered the above offences.
The court heard that in January 2001, Hui told an ICAC informer that he knew a bank officer who could assist in money laundering.
On separate occasions, Hui and Cheung suggested to two ICAC undercover officers that they could assist in laundering several million US dollars through a casino and an entertainment company in Macau.
The defendants also told the undercover officers that they would charge a commission of 12 to 13 per cent of the money laundered.
On May 31, 2001, Cheung was arrested by ICAC officers while attempting to launder US$15,000 at a bank. Hui was also arrested for his role in the scam.
The court also heard that Hui had sold another ICAC undercover officer a forged Hong Kong Identity Card for $9,000, and possessed another forged Hong Kong Identity Card.
The prosecution was today represented by Graeme Mackay on a fiat, assisted by ICAC officer Sarah Lau.
Hui Wei-chun, 39, unemployed, received a jail term of two years and 10 months, while Cheung Kam-lun, 54, merchant, was jailed for two years and nine months.
In sentencing, District Court Deputy Judge Tong Man said immediate custodial sentences were necessary to deter money laundering scams of such a sophisticated nature.
The judge also rejected the defence's claim of "entrapment" in mitigation, adding that the defendants would have come up with a similar plot had they been approached by persons other than ICAC undercover officers.
Hui earlier pleaded guilty to one count of inciting to deal with property known or believed to represent proceeds of an indictable offence, one of possessing a forged Hong Kong Identity Card, and one of transferring a forged Hong Kong Identity Card.
Cheung was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to deal with property known or believed to be proceeds of an indictable offence.
The case arose from a corruption complaint, alleging that some bank employees might have accepted advantages for offering assistance in money laundering. ICAC undercover operation uncovered the above offences.
The court heard that in January 2001, Hui told an ICAC informer that he knew a bank officer who could assist in money laundering.
On separate occasions, Hui and Cheung suggested to two ICAC undercover officers that they could assist in laundering several million US dollars through a casino and an entertainment company in Macau.
The defendants also told the undercover officers that they would charge a commission of 12 to 13 per cent of the money laundered.
On May 31, 2001, Cheung was arrested by ICAC officers while attempting to launder US$15,000 at a bank. Hui was also arrested for his role in the scam.
The court also heard that Hui had sold another ICAC undercover officer a forged Hong Kong Identity Card for $9,000, and possessed another forged Hong Kong Identity Card.
The prosecution was today represented by Graeme Mackay on a fiat, assisted by ICAC officer Sarah Lau.