Man wanted for alleged HK$20 million Australian citizenship bribery scam
2001-8-1
The ICAC is looking for a Chinese man in connection with an alleged HK$20 million bribery scam, in which Australian citizenship was granted to unqualified applicants with the suspected corrupt assistance of a former official of the Australian Department o f Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA) in Australia.
Ling Kai-hung, George, 48, an emigration consultant in Hong Kong, was amongst 29 persons arrested by the ICAC in February this year as a result of a joint investigation of the ICAC and the Australian authorities.
The Eastern Court yesterday (Tuesday) issued a warrant for Ling’s arrest after he failed to report bail to the ICAC on June 21.
ICAC investigations revealed that the former Australian immigration official had allegedly granted Australian citizenship to more than 140 applicants referred by Ling over the years.
Most of these applicants were either residents of Hong Kong or the Mainland who did not possess the basic English proficiency required by the Australian government, while some of them never resided in Australia.
Ling was alleged to have charged each applicant a “commission”, ranging from US$5,000 to US$100,000, for assisting them in obtaining Australian citizenship. The total amount of money involved in the scam amounted to about HK$20 million.
Ling Kai-hung, George, alias Ling George, is about 1.55 metres tall and of average build.
Anyone who has information on Ling’s whereabouts or any other information that may lead to the arrest of Ling is urged to contact the ICAC on its 24-hour hotline 2526 6366. Information received will be treated in the strictest confidence.
Ling Kai-hung, George, 48, an emigration consultant in Hong Kong, was amongst 29 persons arrested by the ICAC in February this year as a result of a joint investigation of the ICAC and the Australian authorities.
The Eastern Court yesterday (Tuesday) issued a warrant for Ling’s arrest after he failed to report bail to the ICAC on June 21.
ICAC investigations revealed that the former Australian immigration official had allegedly granted Australian citizenship to more than 140 applicants referred by Ling over the years.
Most of these applicants were either residents of Hong Kong or the Mainland who did not possess the basic English proficiency required by the Australian government, while some of them never resided in Australia.
Ling was alleged to have charged each applicant a “commission”, ranging from US$5,000 to US$100,000, for assisting them in obtaining Australian citizenship. The total amount of money involved in the scam amounted to about HK$20 million.
Ling Kai-hung, George, alias Ling George, is about 1.55 metres tall and of average build.
Anyone who has information on Ling’s whereabouts or any other information that may lead to the arrest of Ling is urged to contact the ICAC on its 24-hour hotline 2526 6366. Information received will be treated in the strictest confidence.