Couple each jailed for six and a half years for $300m counterfeit VCD piracy
2004-7-19
A couple, charged by the ICAC for counterfeiting $300 million worth of CD-ROMs and VCDs, was each sentenced to six and a half years' imprisonment at the Court of First Instance today (Monday) after a jury returned a guilty verdict.
Tsoi Chung-wang (also known as Tsoi Kei-lung and Tsoi Tung-kei), 49, and his wife, Ng Yee-nei (also known as Ng Kam-fung and Ng Yuk-yan Lili), 40, both former directors of Golden Science Technology Limited, were found guilty of one count of conspiracy to defraud.
In sentencing, Mr Justice Michael Lunn said the jail term of the couple was reduced from a starting point of seven years, after taking into account their clear records.
The conspiracy charge stated that Tsoi and Ng had conspired with other persons to defraud copyright owners in relation to dishonestly copying, manufacturing and distributing films, computer games, sound recordings and computer software between June 1997 a nd April 1998.
The court heard that when ICAC officers raided four factories, an office and warehouse premises in Fanling on April 26, 1998, over one million counterfeit discs, covering 75 titles, were seized.
ICAC officers found 41 replicating lines, 38 of which were working at the time of the raid. Of the 38 replicating lines, 31 were making unauthorised discs worth $300 million, the court was told.
Tsoi and Ng were arrested by the ICAC in April 1998 during a corruption inquiry, and were subsequently charged.
The couple was ordered to stand trial at the Court of First Instance on November 19, 2001. However, they failed to turn up for the trial.
The court ordered to estreat the couple's bail money, totalling $1.25 million, and issued warrants for their arrest.
With the assistance of the Interpol NCB (National Central Bureau) China, Lanzhou Municipal Public Security Bureau, and the Hong Kong Police's Liaison Bureau, Tsoi returned to Hong Kong from the Mainland on October 14 last year.
Ng was arrested by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Vancouver on October 30 last year on ICAC's behalf. She waived extradition proceedings and returned to Hong Kong to face trial on November 19 last year.
The prosecution was today represented by Paul Loughran on a fiat, assisted by ICAC officers Steve Sayell and Christopher Chui.
Tsoi Chung-wang (also known as Tsoi Kei-lung and Tsoi Tung-kei), 49, and his wife, Ng Yee-nei (also known as Ng Kam-fung and Ng Yuk-yan Lili), 40, both former directors of Golden Science Technology Limited, were found guilty of one count of conspiracy to defraud.
In sentencing, Mr Justice Michael Lunn said the jail term of the couple was reduced from a starting point of seven years, after taking into account their clear records.
The conspiracy charge stated that Tsoi and Ng had conspired with other persons to defraud copyright owners in relation to dishonestly copying, manufacturing and distributing films, computer games, sound recordings and computer software between June 1997 a nd April 1998.
The court heard that when ICAC officers raided four factories, an office and warehouse premises in Fanling on April 26, 1998, over one million counterfeit discs, covering 75 titles, were seized.
ICAC officers found 41 replicating lines, 38 of which were working at the time of the raid. Of the 38 replicating lines, 31 were making unauthorised discs worth $300 million, the court was told.
Tsoi and Ng were arrested by the ICAC in April 1998 during a corruption inquiry, and were subsequently charged.
The couple was ordered to stand trial at the Court of First Instance on November 19, 2001. However, they failed to turn up for the trial.
The court ordered to estreat the couple's bail money, totalling $1.25 million, and issued warrants for their arrest.
With the assistance of the Interpol NCB (National Central Bureau) China, Lanzhou Municipal Public Security Bureau, and the Hong Kong Police's Liaison Bureau, Tsoi returned to Hong Kong from the Mainland on October 14 last year.
Ng was arrested by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Vancouver on October 30 last year on ICAC's behalf. She waived extradition proceedings and returned to Hong Kong to face trial on November 19 last year.
The prosecution was today represented by Paul Loughran on a fiat, assisted by ICAC officers Steve Sayell and Christopher Chui.