Twenty-one charged for alleged electricity meter tampering scams
2002-11-26
The ICAC today (Tuesday) charged 21 persons for allegedly conspiring to defraud two electricity companies by tampering with electricity meters of a number of residential and commercial account holders, resulting in a drastic reduction in electricity consu mption of the accounts involved.
It was suspected that the tampering activities throughout the territory had caused losses totalling about $800,000 in electricity charges to the two electricity companies.
The investigation arose from referrals from CLP Power Hong Kong Limited (CLP) and the Police, alleging corruption over the tampering of electricity meters. ICAC enquiries revealed the alleged conspiracy offences.
The defendants face a total of 22 counts of conspiracy to defraud CLP or the Hong Kong Electric Company Limited (HKE). They will appear before courts in separate cases.
The charges allege that the defendants had conspired with other persons to defraud CLP or HKE by dishonestly tampering with electricity meters at various locations, causing CLP or HKE to undercharge the account holders for the units of electricity actuall y consumed.
The alleged offences took place between October 1999 and November 2001.
Appearing before Western Magistracy tomorrow (November 27) are Choi Wai-fun, 42, housewife; Leung Sau-ying, 38, unemployed; and Lo Mei-fung, 41, housewife.
Lam Chi-keung, 40, computer analyst, Lam Sau-king, 44, hair stylist; and Chan Pak-sun; 47, wholesaler, will appear in Eastern Magistracy tomorrow in separate cases.
Seven other defendants will appear in other courts on Thursday (November 28) in separate cases.
Chan Nam-to, 47, merchant; Thien Kon-fuh, 52, retired, Thien Yuk-ping, 24, secretary, Wan Siu-fong, 40, office assistant; and Shih Yuk-chun, 52, housewife, will appear in Tsuen Wan Magistracy.
Lau Lun, 46, proprietor; and Wong Choi-hing, 46, unemployed, will appear in Kowloon City Magistracy.
Meanwhile, six other defendants - Ng Chi-ho, 27, unemployed, Lo Siu-wing, 36, salesman; Mui Man-fai, 35, contractor; Cheng Chun-shing, 37, proprietor; Lee Hon-ting, 38, company director; and Fung King-leung, 34, workman - will appear in courts on Friday (November 29) .
Ng and Lo will appear in Kowloon City Magistracy, while Mui, Cheng and Lee will appear in Eastern Magistracy. Fung is due to appear in Kwun Tong Magistracy.
Ng Chi-ho, together with Ng Tze-keung, 38, motor salesman, will appear in Tuen Mun Magistracy next Monday (December 2) .
Chau Kam-ming, 41, taxi driver, will appear in Tsuen Wan Magistracy on the same day.
All the defendants have been released on ICAC bail, pending their court appearances.
It was suspected that the tampering activities throughout the territory had caused losses totalling about $800,000 in electricity charges to the two electricity companies.
The investigation arose from referrals from CLP Power Hong Kong Limited (CLP) and the Police, alleging corruption over the tampering of electricity meters. ICAC enquiries revealed the alleged conspiracy offences.
The defendants face a total of 22 counts of conspiracy to defraud CLP or the Hong Kong Electric Company Limited (HKE). They will appear before courts in separate cases.
The charges allege that the defendants had conspired with other persons to defraud CLP or HKE by dishonestly tampering with electricity meters at various locations, causing CLP or HKE to undercharge the account holders for the units of electricity actuall y consumed.
The alleged offences took place between October 1999 and November 2001.
Appearing before Western Magistracy tomorrow (November 27) are Choi Wai-fun, 42, housewife; Leung Sau-ying, 38, unemployed; and Lo Mei-fung, 41, housewife.
Lam Chi-keung, 40, computer analyst, Lam Sau-king, 44, hair stylist; and Chan Pak-sun; 47, wholesaler, will appear in Eastern Magistracy tomorrow in separate cases.
Seven other defendants will appear in other courts on Thursday (November 28) in separate cases.
Chan Nam-to, 47, merchant; Thien Kon-fuh, 52, retired, Thien Yuk-ping, 24, secretary, Wan Siu-fong, 40, office assistant; and Shih Yuk-chun, 52, housewife, will appear in Tsuen Wan Magistracy.
Lau Lun, 46, proprietor; and Wong Choi-hing, 46, unemployed, will appear in Kowloon City Magistracy.
Meanwhile, six other defendants - Ng Chi-ho, 27, unemployed, Lo Siu-wing, 36, salesman; Mui Man-fai, 35, contractor; Cheng Chun-shing, 37, proprietor; Lee Hon-ting, 38, company director; and Fung King-leung, 34, workman - will appear in courts on Friday (November 29) .
Ng and Lo will appear in Kowloon City Magistracy, while Mui, Cheng and Lee will appear in Eastern Magistracy. Fung is due to appear in Kwun Tong Magistracy.
Ng Chi-ho, together with Ng Tze-keung, 38, motor salesman, will appear in Tuen Mun Magistracy next Monday (December 2) .
Chau Kam-ming, 41, taxi driver, will appear in Tsuen Wan Magistracy on the same day.
All the defendants have been released on ICAC bail, pending their court appearances.