Three years' jail for extorting $10 million from Nina Wang
2001-4-4
A barrister and a solicitor were each sentenced to three years' imprisonment at District Court today (Wednesday) for extorting $10 million from businesswoman Nina Wang by claiming that a favourable forensic report could be produced to prove the authentici ty of her husband's will.
Mo Sze-lung, Thomson, 35, barrister, and Yeung Chin-tat, Ailey, 30, solicitor, were today convicted of one count of blackmail.
In sentencing, Judge Saunders said immediate custodial sentences were imposed since blackmailing was a serious offence.
The judge said both defendants received the same sentence as they shared equal responsibilities in the extortion plot.
The judge added that he had taken into account the significant mitigation factors of both defendants, including their backgrounds, clear records and Mo's mental condition.
The court heard that in 1990, Mr Teddy Wang, chairman of the Chinachem Group, was kidnapped and held to ransom. He had never been seen again.
A declaration was subsequently made by the Court of First Instance that Mr Teddy Wang was dead.
In 1999, Mr Wang's father, Mr Wang Din-shin, commenced a probate action in the Court of First Instance. In that action, he propounded a will made by the late Mr Wang in 1966.
The defendant to the action was Nina Wang Kung, the wife of the late Mr Teddy Wang.
In course of the proceedings, Nina Wang produced a holograph will, the authenticity of which is in dispute in the probate proceedings.
In course of his work Yeung had access to the papers in relation to the probate action, including a copy of the holograph will.
Mo learned from Yeung that the firm for whom Yeung worked represented Mr Wang Din-shin. Mo constantly pressed Yeung for details about the litigation.
In mid-May last year, Yeung gave Mo a photocopy of the holograph will at a tea meeting. Mo opined that the will was forged.
A few days later, Yeung gave Mo a photocopy of a letter from the Government Chemist, addressed to his employer, in relation to an examination that was being undertaken of the holograph will.
On June 12 last year, Mo made a telephone call to Nina Wang to make her believe that he was employed in the Government Laboratory and that he was involved in the examination of the will. Nina Wang tape-recorded the call.
Mo said the preliminary results indicated that the document was forged and for payment of $10 million she would have the result guaranteed.
Nina Wang asked for some time to consider the proposal, and made a report to the ICAC.
A series of further telephone conversations followed between June 12 and 15, all of which were monitored and recorded. The demand was repeated and negotiations took place between Mo and Nina Wang.
In the afternoon of June 15 last year, at Mo's request, Yeung purchased a combination lock and a pair of white gloves which he gave to Mo. Yeung also gave to Mo a SIM card for his portable telephone.
Then Mo went to the Arts Centre in Wanchai. Using the gloves, he set the combination of the lock, and placed the lock in a locker.
The two went to a nearby public telephone booth where Mo made a phone call to Nina Wang and continued to make the arrangements with her for the payment of $10 million.
Mo and Yeung were subsequently arrested by ICAC officers.
The prosecution was today represented by Senior Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Bernard Ryan, assisted by ICAC officers Ivan Yung and William Woo.
Mo Sze-lung, Thomson, 35, barrister, and Yeung Chin-tat, Ailey, 30, solicitor, were today convicted of one count of blackmail.
In sentencing, Judge Saunders said immediate custodial sentences were imposed since blackmailing was a serious offence.
The judge said both defendants received the same sentence as they shared equal responsibilities in the extortion plot.
The judge added that he had taken into account the significant mitigation factors of both defendants, including their backgrounds, clear records and Mo's mental condition.
The court heard that in 1990, Mr Teddy Wang, chairman of the Chinachem Group, was kidnapped and held to ransom. He had never been seen again.
A declaration was subsequently made by the Court of First Instance that Mr Teddy Wang was dead.
In 1999, Mr Wang's father, Mr Wang Din-shin, commenced a probate action in the Court of First Instance. In that action, he propounded a will made by the late Mr Wang in 1966.
The defendant to the action was Nina Wang Kung, the wife of the late Mr Teddy Wang.
In course of the proceedings, Nina Wang produced a holograph will, the authenticity of which is in dispute in the probate proceedings.
In course of his work Yeung had access to the papers in relation to the probate action, including a copy of the holograph will.
Mo learned from Yeung that the firm for whom Yeung worked represented Mr Wang Din-shin. Mo constantly pressed Yeung for details about the litigation.
In mid-May last year, Yeung gave Mo a photocopy of the holograph will at a tea meeting. Mo opined that the will was forged.
A few days later, Yeung gave Mo a photocopy of a letter from the Government Chemist, addressed to his employer, in relation to an examination that was being undertaken of the holograph will.
On June 12 last year, Mo made a telephone call to Nina Wang to make her believe that he was employed in the Government Laboratory and that he was involved in the examination of the will. Nina Wang tape-recorded the call.
Mo said the preliminary results indicated that the document was forged and for payment of $10 million she would have the result guaranteed.
Nina Wang asked for some time to consider the proposal, and made a report to the ICAC.
A series of further telephone conversations followed between June 12 and 15, all of which were monitored and recorded. The demand was repeated and negotiations took place between Mo and Nina Wang.
In the afternoon of June 15 last year, at Mo's request, Yeung purchased a combination lock and a pair of white gloves which he gave to Mo. Yeung also gave to Mo a SIM card for his portable telephone.
Then Mo went to the Arts Centre in Wanchai. Using the gloves, he set the combination of the lock, and placed the lock in a locker.
The two went to a nearby public telephone booth where Mo made a phone call to Nina Wang and continued to make the arrangements with her for the payment of $10 million.
Mo and Yeung were subsequently arrested by ICAC officers.
The prosecution was today represented by Senior Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Bernard Ryan, assisted by ICAC officers Ivan Yung and William Woo.