Ex-sales manager wanted by ICAC returns to Hong Kong to face prosecution
2007-5-30
A former sales manager of a metal trading company, wanted by the ICAC for three years, returned to Hong Kong from Australia this (Wednesday) morning to face prosecution for allegedly making false bills of lading for releasing goods to a customer, causing a loss of over $7 million to his employer.
Andy Lau Sui-wing, 57, formerly employed by USA-based BAL Metals International Incorporation (BAL), was arrested by the Australian Federal Police in Sydney on August 17 last year at the request of the Hong Kong Government.
Lau subsequently consented to be surrendered to Hong Kong.
Upon his return, Lau was charged with two counts of forgery, and brought to Eastern Magistracy.
No plea was taken. Magistrate Mr Josiah Lam Wai-kuen adjourned the case until July 11 for mention, and remanded the defendant in the custody of the Correctional Services Department.
At the time of the alleged offences, Lau was employed by BAL and stationed at its affiliated company, BHL Investments Limited (BHL), in Hong Kong.
The charges alleged that between November 21 and December 7, 2001, Lau had made a total of five false bills of lading of Compania Sud Americana de Vapores S.A., which purported to have been issued by BHL.
As a result of the alleged false documents, goods were released to the customer causing a loss of about $7.3 million to BAL.
Lau was arrested by the ICAC in August 2003 in relation to a corruption complaint. He was then released on ICAC bail, pending further enquiries.
Lau later failed to report bail to the ICAC, and was found to have left Hong Kong in September 2003.
The Department of Justice subsequently advised that Lau be charged with two counts of forgery. A warrant for his arrest was issued by a magistrate in Hong Kong in January 2004.
Lau was arrested by the Australian Federal Police in Sydney in August last year. He consented to be surrendered to Hong Kong.
The prosecution was today represented by a senior court prosecutor, assisted by ICAC officer Tony Wong.
Andy Lau Sui-wing, 57, formerly employed by USA-based BAL Metals International Incorporation (BAL), was arrested by the Australian Federal Police in Sydney on August 17 last year at the request of the Hong Kong Government.
Lau subsequently consented to be surrendered to Hong Kong.
Upon his return, Lau was charged with two counts of forgery, and brought to Eastern Magistracy.
No plea was taken. Magistrate Mr Josiah Lam Wai-kuen adjourned the case until July 11 for mention, and remanded the defendant in the custody of the Correctional Services Department.
At the time of the alleged offences, Lau was employed by BAL and stationed at its affiliated company, BHL Investments Limited (BHL), in Hong Kong.
The charges alleged that between November 21 and December 7, 2001, Lau had made a total of five false bills of lading of Compania Sud Americana de Vapores S.A., which purported to have been issued by BHL.
As a result of the alleged false documents, goods were released to the customer causing a loss of about $7.3 million to BAL.
Lau was arrested by the ICAC in August 2003 in relation to a corruption complaint. He was then released on ICAC bail, pending further enquiries.
Lau later failed to report bail to the ICAC, and was found to have left Hong Kong in September 2003.
The Department of Justice subsequently advised that Lau be charged with two counts of forgery. A warrant for his arrest was issued by a magistrate in Hong Kong in January 2004.
Lau was arrested by the Australian Federal Police in Sydney in August last year. He consented to be surrendered to Hong Kong.
The prosecution was today represented by a senior court prosecutor, assisted by ICAC officer Tony Wong.