ICAC smashes 'bribes-for-jobs' syndicate
2000-2-16
The ICAC has smashed a syndicate which allegedly ripped off Nepalese workers when applying for jobs in Hong Kong.
The arrested mastermind of the syndicate, an inspector of a security company, had allegedly solicited and accepted bribes totalling $270,000 for helping about 150 Nepalese find work.
In the past two days (Monday and Tuesday), 10 people were arrested. All of them were Nepalese nationals, aged from 30 to 60.
Among the arrestees were the inspector who was believed to be the mastermind of the syndicate, a middleman and eight security guards who had allegedly offered advantages to the inspector. Forty other security guards have also been interviewed.
The ICAC earlier received a complaint from the public, alleging that an inspector of a security company had accepted bribes from Nepalese people for recommending them to be employed by the company as security guards.
The security company provides Nepalese security guards for various construction sites in Hong Kong.
The inspector arrested is responsible for identifying potential employees and supervising Nepalese guards employed by the company. He is also empowered to recommend dismissal of any Nepalese guards found to be not performing well.
It was alleged that the inspector had solicited $1,500 to $3,000 each from about 150 Nepalese who applied for jobs with the security company. The bribes would be paid after the applicants were offered the employment as security guards.
Investigations revealed that the guards had allegedly either paid cash or deposited the bribe money into the inspector's bank account, and that the middleman allegedly collected the bribes for the inspector.
It was also alleged that when the guards were to be transferred to a different site or were awaiting re-employment after completing their initial contracts, the inspector solicited a further $3,000 from them.
The investigation is on-going and the directors of the company concerned have rendered full assistance to the ICAC.
Meanwhile, since the investigation has revealed that there could be a large number of victims in this case, members of the public are urged to come forward to provide the ICAC with any information on the case. They may dial ICAC's 24-hour hotline 2526 63 66.
All the arrestees were released on bail, pending further enquiries.
The arrested mastermind of the syndicate, an inspector of a security company, had allegedly solicited and accepted bribes totalling $270,000 for helping about 150 Nepalese find work.
In the past two days (Monday and Tuesday), 10 people were arrested. All of them were Nepalese nationals, aged from 30 to 60.
Among the arrestees were the inspector who was believed to be the mastermind of the syndicate, a middleman and eight security guards who had allegedly offered advantages to the inspector. Forty other security guards have also been interviewed.
The ICAC earlier received a complaint from the public, alleging that an inspector of a security company had accepted bribes from Nepalese people for recommending them to be employed by the company as security guards.
The security company provides Nepalese security guards for various construction sites in Hong Kong.
The inspector arrested is responsible for identifying potential employees and supervising Nepalese guards employed by the company. He is also empowered to recommend dismissal of any Nepalese guards found to be not performing well.
It was alleged that the inspector had solicited $1,500 to $3,000 each from about 150 Nepalese who applied for jobs with the security company. The bribes would be paid after the applicants were offered the employment as security guards.
Investigations revealed that the guards had allegedly either paid cash or deposited the bribe money into the inspector's bank account, and that the middleman allegedly collected the bribes for the inspector.
It was also alleged that when the guards were to be transferred to a different site or were awaiting re-employment after completing their initial contracts, the inspector solicited a further $3,000 from them.
The investigation is on-going and the directors of the company concerned have rendered full assistance to the ICAC.
Meanwhile, since the investigation has revealed that there could be a large number of victims in this case, members of the public are urged to come forward to provide the ICAC with any information on the case. They may dial ICAC's 24-hour hotline 2526 63 66.
All the arrestees were released on bail, pending further enquiries.