ICAC suspect extradited from Canada to face bribery and fraud charges
2009-3-26
A former marketing officer of a bank, who was wanted by the ICAC for bribery and fraud charges, was extradited from Canada to Hong Kong early this (Thursday) morning after fighting extradition for more than three years.
Wong Tai-wai, 53, formerly employed by Hang Seng Bank Limited (HSB), was arrested by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in Toronto in February 2006 at the request of the Hong Kong Government.
Accompanied by RCMP officers, Wong returned to Hong Kong early this morning. He was subsequently charged and brought to Eastern Magistracy to face seven counts of accepting an advantage as an agent, contrary to Section 9(1)(a) of the Prevention of Briber y Ordinance, and seven of conspiracy to defraud, contrary to the Common Law.
No plea was taken. Magistrate Ms Bina Chainrai adjourned the case until April 17 for mention, and remanded the defendant in the custody of the Correctional Services Department.
The seven bribery charges alleged that between May 1994 and November 1997, the defendant had accepted two watches and a total of $230,000 in cash from a director-cum-shareholder of Au Kiang International Company Limited (Au Kiang) and Dero Enterprise Limi ted (Dero).
In return, the defendant was alleged to have shown favour to Au Kiang and Dero in facilitating the granting and maintaining of credit arrangements by HSB to the two companies.
The remaining seven charges alleged that between June 1995 and April 1998, the defendant had conspired with other persons to defraud HSB by dishonestly causing Au Kiang and Dero to apply and utilise credit facilities from the bank in the form of letters o f credit (L/Cs).
The defendant was also alleged to have submitted false documents to HSB purportedly evidencing genuine underlying commercial transactions between Au Kiang, Dero and four other companies.
Based on the alleged false documents, HSB was caused to issue the L/Cs in favour of the four companies, and release funds totalling over $930 million to those beneficiary companies under the L/Cs.
Wong left Hong Kong for Canada before ICAC enquiries turned overt. A request for his surrender was made in early February 2004.
Wong was located and arrested by the RCMP in Toronto on February 22, 2006. The Ministry of Justice ordered on March 31, 2008 that he be surrendered to Hong Kong.
Wong appealed against the surrender order. His appeal was subsequently dismissed.
The RCMP had rendered full assistance during the extradition process.
The prosecution was today represented by Senior Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Alex Lee, assisted by ICAC officers Dale Ko and Andrew Ho.
Wong Tai-wai, 53, formerly employed by Hang Seng Bank Limited (HSB), was arrested by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in Toronto in February 2006 at the request of the Hong Kong Government.
Accompanied by RCMP officers, Wong returned to Hong Kong early this morning. He was subsequently charged and brought to Eastern Magistracy to face seven counts of accepting an advantage as an agent, contrary to Section 9(1)(a) of the Prevention of Briber y Ordinance, and seven of conspiracy to defraud, contrary to the Common Law.
No plea was taken. Magistrate Ms Bina Chainrai adjourned the case until April 17 for mention, and remanded the defendant in the custody of the Correctional Services Department.
The seven bribery charges alleged that between May 1994 and November 1997, the defendant had accepted two watches and a total of $230,000 in cash from a director-cum-shareholder of Au Kiang International Company Limited (Au Kiang) and Dero Enterprise Limi ted (Dero).
In return, the defendant was alleged to have shown favour to Au Kiang and Dero in facilitating the granting and maintaining of credit arrangements by HSB to the two companies.
The remaining seven charges alleged that between June 1995 and April 1998, the defendant had conspired with other persons to defraud HSB by dishonestly causing Au Kiang and Dero to apply and utilise credit facilities from the bank in the form of letters o f credit (L/Cs).
The defendant was also alleged to have submitted false documents to HSB purportedly evidencing genuine underlying commercial transactions between Au Kiang, Dero and four other companies.
Based on the alleged false documents, HSB was caused to issue the L/Cs in favour of the four companies, and release funds totalling over $930 million to those beneficiary companies under the L/Cs.
Wong left Hong Kong for Canada before ICAC enquiries turned overt. A request for his surrender was made in early February 2004.
Wong was located and arrested by the RCMP in Toronto on February 22, 2006. The Ministry of Justice ordered on March 31, 2008 that he be surrendered to Hong Kong.
Wong appealed against the surrender order. His appeal was subsequently dismissed.
The RCMP had rendered full assistance during the extradition process.
The prosecution was today represented by Senior Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Alex Lee, assisted by ICAC officers Dale Ko and Andrew Ho.