Fourteen face court for alleged fraud over subscription of telephone, internet and pay TV services
2009-8-31
Fourteen persons today (Monday) appeared at Kwun Tong Magistracy in two separate cases after being charged by the ICAC for their alleged roles in defrauding four telecommunications and pay TV companies of sales commissions by submitting bogus applications to subscribe telephone, internet and pay TV services.
In the first case, the defendants were Hung Choi-ha, 26; Michele Leung Wai-him, 33; Mark Fong Siu-lun, 25; Chan Yung-keung, 30; Tang Yuk-pan, 26; Chau Yau-tai, 23; Yung Chi-ping, 24, all former salespersons of Pacific Century Cyberworks Limited (PCCW), TV B Pay Vision Limited (TVB Pay Vision), Hutchison Global Communications Limited (Hutchison), and/or Hong Kong Broadband Network Limited (HK Broadband); and Leung Yu-chi, 26, a member service assistant of a fitness centre.
They faced a total of 29 charges –'96 five of conspiracy to defraud, 22 of theft, and two of possession of identity card relating to another person.
The conspiracy charges alleged that between late 2006 and April last year, the defendants conspired with other persons to defraud PCCW, TVB Pay Vision, Hutchison and/or HK Broadband by making false representations in service application forms submitted to the four companies.
The defendants were alleged to have falsely stated in the forms that six of them had purportedly dealt with customers whose personal particulars and signatures appeared on the forms, and that the customers had purportedly applied for the services.
As a result, the defendants were said to have defrauded the four companies of about $69,000 in sales commissions.
Hung faced four counts of theft, which alleged her of stealing six credit cards, while Leung Yu-chi faced 18 similar offences of stealing 26 credit cards.
Michele Leung Wai-him and Fong were jointly charged with one count of possessing two identity cards related to two persons respectively, while Leung Wai-him alone faced a similar offence of possessing an identity card related to a third person.
In the second case, the defendants were Michele Leung Wai-him (who was also charged in the first case); Leung Hoi-wai, 30; Kwok Ching-man, 37; Tatsuya Saionji, 20; Cheng Wai-mun, 41; Wan Wai-lim, 31; and Ng Wai-keung, 27, all former salespersons of PCCW.
The defendants faced three counts of conspiracy to defraud, while Saionji alone faced one count of using a false instrument.
The conspiracy charges alleged that between November 2007 and April last year, the defendants conspired with other persons to defraud PCCW by making similar fraudulent applications for telecommunication services.
The defendants were said to have defrauded PCCW of about $9,000 in sales commissions.
The remaining charge alleged that in December 2007, Saionji used a certificate of service purportedly issued by a company, with the intention of inducing PCCW to accept it as genuine.
The cases arose from a corruption complaint. Subsequent ICAC inquiries revealed the above alleged offences.
No pleas were taken in the above two cases. Magistrate Mr Rickie Chan Kam-cheong adjourned the cases until September 18 for transfer to the District Court.
Michele Leung Wai-him was granted bail of $3,000 in cash and $17,000 in surety, while 13 other defendants were on cash bail ranging from $1,000 to $5,000.
The prosecution in the above two cases was today represented by ICAC officer May Lam.
In the first case, the defendants were Hung Choi-ha, 26; Michele Leung Wai-him, 33; Mark Fong Siu-lun, 25; Chan Yung-keung, 30; Tang Yuk-pan, 26; Chau Yau-tai, 23; Yung Chi-ping, 24, all former salespersons of Pacific Century Cyberworks Limited (PCCW), TV B Pay Vision Limited (TVB Pay Vision), Hutchison Global Communications Limited (Hutchison), and/or Hong Kong Broadband Network Limited (HK Broadband); and Leung Yu-chi, 26, a member service assistant of a fitness centre.
They faced a total of 29 charges –'96 five of conspiracy to defraud, 22 of theft, and two of possession of identity card relating to another person.
The conspiracy charges alleged that between late 2006 and April last year, the defendants conspired with other persons to defraud PCCW, TVB Pay Vision, Hutchison and/or HK Broadband by making false representations in service application forms submitted to the four companies.
The defendants were alleged to have falsely stated in the forms that six of them had purportedly dealt with customers whose personal particulars and signatures appeared on the forms, and that the customers had purportedly applied for the services.
As a result, the defendants were said to have defrauded the four companies of about $69,000 in sales commissions.
Hung faced four counts of theft, which alleged her of stealing six credit cards, while Leung Yu-chi faced 18 similar offences of stealing 26 credit cards.
Michele Leung Wai-him and Fong were jointly charged with one count of possessing two identity cards related to two persons respectively, while Leung Wai-him alone faced a similar offence of possessing an identity card related to a third person.
In the second case, the defendants were Michele Leung Wai-him (who was also charged in the first case); Leung Hoi-wai, 30; Kwok Ching-man, 37; Tatsuya Saionji, 20; Cheng Wai-mun, 41; Wan Wai-lim, 31; and Ng Wai-keung, 27, all former salespersons of PCCW.
The defendants faced three counts of conspiracy to defraud, while Saionji alone faced one count of using a false instrument.
The conspiracy charges alleged that between November 2007 and April last year, the defendants conspired with other persons to defraud PCCW by making similar fraudulent applications for telecommunication services.
The defendants were said to have defrauded PCCW of about $9,000 in sales commissions.
The remaining charge alleged that in December 2007, Saionji used a certificate of service purportedly issued by a company, with the intention of inducing PCCW to accept it as genuine.
The cases arose from a corruption complaint. Subsequent ICAC inquiries revealed the above alleged offences.
No pleas were taken in the above two cases. Magistrate Mr Rickie Chan Kam-cheong adjourned the cases until September 18 for transfer to the District Court.
Michele Leung Wai-him was granted bail of $3,000 in cash and $17,000 in surety, while 13 other defendants were on cash bail ranging from $1,000 to $5,000.
The prosecution in the above two cases was today represented by ICAC officer May Lam.