Merchant charged with impersonating ICAC officer over car accident civil claim
2022-10-20
A merchant was charged by the ICAC yesterday (October 19) with impersonating an ICAC officer to request three clinic staff to verify medical certificates of a man. The girlfriend of the defendant was earlier involved in a civil claim filed by the employer of the man over a car accident.
Tam Wing-park, 67, merchant, faces three counts of falsely pretending to be an officer of the ICAC, contrary to Section 13C(a) of the Independent Commission Against Corruption Ordinance (ICACO). He was released on ICAC bail, pending his appearance at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (October 21) for plea.
In July 2017, the defendant’s girlfriend and the man who was driving a company car were involved in a car accident but they failed to reach an agreement on compensation. The man subsequently attended medical treatments at a clinic and were issued four medical certificates.
In 2020, the employer of the man initiated a civil claim against the girlfriend at the Small Claim Tribunal, which eventually ordered the girlfriend to compensate the man’s employer.
The charges allege that on November 5, 2021, the defendant falsely pretended to two receptionists and a director of the above clinic that he was an officer of the ICAC.
Section 13C of the ICACO stipulates that any person who falsely pretends that he is an ICAC officer shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a maximum penalty of one-year imprisonment and a fine of $25,000.
The investigation arose from a complaint filed with the ICAC. Investigation revealed that the defendant had allegedly made phone calls to the clinic, addressed himself as an ICAC officer and requested to verify the four medical certificates.
The defendant had never been an officer of the ICAC. Upon completion of the investigation, legal advice was sought from the Department of Justice. Pursuant to the legal advice, the defendant was charged with offences of impersonating an ICAC officer.
The ICAC reminds members of the public that impersonating an ICAC officer is a serious crime. Should they have queries about the identity of any ICAC officers who approach them, they should call the ICAC 24-hour Report Corruption Hotline (852) 25 266 366.
The clinic concerned has rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
Tam Wing-park, 67, merchant, faces three counts of falsely pretending to be an officer of the ICAC, contrary to Section 13C(a) of the Independent Commission Against Corruption Ordinance (ICACO). He was released on ICAC bail, pending his appearance at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (October 21) for plea.
In July 2017, the defendant’s girlfriend and the man who was driving a company car were involved in a car accident but they failed to reach an agreement on compensation. The man subsequently attended medical treatments at a clinic and were issued four medical certificates.
In 2020, the employer of the man initiated a civil claim against the girlfriend at the Small Claim Tribunal, which eventually ordered the girlfriend to compensate the man’s employer.
The charges allege that on November 5, 2021, the defendant falsely pretended to two receptionists and a director of the above clinic that he was an officer of the ICAC.
Section 13C of the ICACO stipulates that any person who falsely pretends that he is an ICAC officer shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a maximum penalty of one-year imprisonment and a fine of $25,000.
The investigation arose from a complaint filed with the ICAC. Investigation revealed that the defendant had allegedly made phone calls to the clinic, addressed himself as an ICAC officer and requested to verify the four medical certificates.
The defendant had never been an officer of the ICAC. Upon completion of the investigation, legal advice was sought from the Department of Justice. Pursuant to the legal advice, the defendant was charged with offences of impersonating an ICAC officer.
The ICAC reminds members of the public that impersonating an ICAC officer is a serious crime. Should they have queries about the identity of any ICAC officers who approach them, they should call the ICAC 24-hour Report Corruption Hotline (852) 25 266 366.
The clinic concerned has rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.