Swindler gets eight months for impersonating WSD officer in job hunting scam
2003-7-31
An unemployed man was today (Thursday) sentenced to eight months' imprisonment at Western Magistracy for swindling over $20,000 from various persons by impersonating an officer of the Water Supplies Department (WSD) and falsely representing that he could help with their job hunting.
Li Wai-kwok, 32, earlier pleaded guilty to eight counts of fraud.
In sentencing, Magistrate Mr Anthony Yuen said the fraudulent plot was premeditated, adding that an immediate custodial sentence was warranted in view of the serious nature of the offences.
The case arose from a referral from WSD, alleging that a staff member might have accepted bribes to help other persons secure employment with WSD.
ICAC inquiries found that the corruption allegation was unsubstantiated, but uncovered the fraudulent scheme instigated by the defendant.
The court heard that at the time of the offences, Li was a businessman.
Between June and October 2002, Li falsely represented to eight persons that he was a WSD officer and could help them find jobs in WSD.
Li dishonestly induced these persons to believe that they had to pay WSD various sums of money in order to secure employment with the department.
On separate occasions, the victims had paid Li a total of $20,200.
The court heard that Li had forged documents bearing the WSD logo, purporting to show that the department was processing the victims' applications for employment.
Li also requested some of the victims to sign on those forged documents and to provide him with copies of their identity cards or proof of their residential addresses.
Li was subsequently arrested by the ICAC.
When interviewed under caution, Li admitted that he was the perpetrator of the fraud.
The court also heard that Li had never been employed by WSD nor was he in a position to find jobs for others in WSD.
The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Allen Ting.
Li Wai-kwok, 32, earlier pleaded guilty to eight counts of fraud.
In sentencing, Magistrate Mr Anthony Yuen said the fraudulent plot was premeditated, adding that an immediate custodial sentence was warranted in view of the serious nature of the offences.
The case arose from a referral from WSD, alleging that a staff member might have accepted bribes to help other persons secure employment with WSD.
ICAC inquiries found that the corruption allegation was unsubstantiated, but uncovered the fraudulent scheme instigated by the defendant.
The court heard that at the time of the offences, Li was a businessman.
Between June and October 2002, Li falsely represented to eight persons that he was a WSD officer and could help them find jobs in WSD.
Li dishonestly induced these persons to believe that they had to pay WSD various sums of money in order to secure employment with the department.
On separate occasions, the victims had paid Li a total of $20,200.
The court heard that Li had forged documents bearing the WSD logo, purporting to show that the department was processing the victims' applications for employment.
Li also requested some of the victims to sign on those forged documents and to provide him with copies of their identity cards or proof of their residential addresses.
Li was subsequently arrested by the ICAC.
When interviewed under caution, Li admitted that he was the perpetrator of the fraud.
The court also heard that Li had never been employed by WSD nor was he in a position to find jobs for others in WSD.
The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Allen Ting.