Seven sentenced for deceiving commissions from telecommunication companies
2010-10-19
Seven persons, charged by the ICAC, were today (Tuesday) sentenced at the District Court for their respective roles in deceiving sales commissions over $148,000 from four telecommunication companies by submitting bogus sales orders.
Hung Choi-ha, 27, and Michele Leung Wai-him, 34, both masterminds, were jailed for 16 months and 19 months respectively.
Leung Yu-chi, 27, received a jail term of nine months, while Chan Yung-keung, 31, and Tang Yuk-pan, 27, were each jailed for 10 months. Chau Yau-tai, 24, was sentenced to 14 months’ imprisonment. Yung Chi-ping, 25, was ordered to perform 140 hours of community service.
The defendants were convicted of a total of 28 charges - six counts of conspiracy to defraud, 20 of theft, and two of possession of identity card relating to another person.
In sentencing, Judge Albert Wong Sung-hau said the offences committed by the defendants constituted a breach of trust placed in them by their employers.
The judge described that the case involved a prolonged, large-scale fraud scam, adding that the masterminds warranted longer jail terms.
The case arose from a corruption complaint. Subsequent ICAC enquiries revealed the above offences, which took place between late 2006 and 2008.
The court heard that at the time of the offences, all defendants, except Leung Yu-chi, were employed as salespersons by four telecommunication companies –'96 Pacific Century Cyberworks Limited, Hong Kong Broadband Network Limited, Hutchison Global Communications Limited and TVB Pay Vision Limited.
Since late 2006, Hung, Leung Wai-him and another mastermind Fong Siu-lun had submitted to the aforesaid companies bogus sales orders with false personal particulars purchased by Leung Wai-him from unknown persons at $250 to $300 per set.
Leung Wai-him also gave the false personal data to Chan, Tang and Chau for them to prepare and submit bogus sales orders.
In February 2008, Leung Wai-him rented a unit at a factory building in Tai Kok Tsui as “headquarters” for Hung, Fong and himself to prepare the bogus sales orders.
Pre-paid mobile phone SIM cards were used as contact numbers of the bogus subscribers. Leung Wai-him, Hung and Fong took turns to answer the calls from telecommunication companies by posing themselves as the subscribers concerned.
Leung Yu-chi sold his credit cards to Leung Wai-him for preparing bogus sales orders. Leung Yu-chi and Yung Chi-ping provided their credit cards to Tang for the same purpose.
As a result, the defendants had submitted a total of 447 bogus orders to the four telecommunication companies concerned, and deceived sales commissions totalling over $148,000 from them, the court heard.
When Leung Wai-him was arrested at the “headquarters” on April 21, 2008, he was found in his possession three Hong Kong Identity Cards belonging to other persons.
ICAC officers also seized a total of 435 customer copies of sales orders bearing false personal particulars, 308 pre-paid mobile phone SIM cards, and 67 credit cards belonging to other persons, the court was told.
Fong Siu-lun, who was also charged by the ICAC, earlier pleaded guilty to his role in the case, and was sentenced to 16 months’ imprisonment.
The prosecution was today represented by prosecuting counsel Bernard Yuen, assisted by ICAC officer Alan Wong.
Hung Choi-ha, 27, and Michele Leung Wai-him, 34, both masterminds, were jailed for 16 months and 19 months respectively.
Leung Yu-chi, 27, received a jail term of nine months, while Chan Yung-keung, 31, and Tang Yuk-pan, 27, were each jailed for 10 months. Chau Yau-tai, 24, was sentenced to 14 months’ imprisonment. Yung Chi-ping, 25, was ordered to perform 140 hours of community service.
The defendants were convicted of a total of 28 charges - six counts of conspiracy to defraud, 20 of theft, and two of possession of identity card relating to another person.
In sentencing, Judge Albert Wong Sung-hau said the offences committed by the defendants constituted a breach of trust placed in them by their employers.
The judge described that the case involved a prolonged, large-scale fraud scam, adding that the masterminds warranted longer jail terms.
The case arose from a corruption complaint. Subsequent ICAC enquiries revealed the above offences, which took place between late 2006 and 2008.
The court heard that at the time of the offences, all defendants, except Leung Yu-chi, were employed as salespersons by four telecommunication companies –'96 Pacific Century Cyberworks Limited, Hong Kong Broadband Network Limited, Hutchison Global Communications Limited and TVB Pay Vision Limited.
Since late 2006, Hung, Leung Wai-him and another mastermind Fong Siu-lun had submitted to the aforesaid companies bogus sales orders with false personal particulars purchased by Leung Wai-him from unknown persons at $250 to $300 per set.
Leung Wai-him also gave the false personal data to Chan, Tang and Chau for them to prepare and submit bogus sales orders.
In February 2008, Leung Wai-him rented a unit at a factory building in Tai Kok Tsui as “headquarters” for Hung, Fong and himself to prepare the bogus sales orders.
Pre-paid mobile phone SIM cards were used as contact numbers of the bogus subscribers. Leung Wai-him, Hung and Fong took turns to answer the calls from telecommunication companies by posing themselves as the subscribers concerned.
Leung Yu-chi sold his credit cards to Leung Wai-him for preparing bogus sales orders. Leung Yu-chi and Yung Chi-ping provided their credit cards to Tang for the same purpose.
As a result, the defendants had submitted a total of 447 bogus orders to the four telecommunication companies concerned, and deceived sales commissions totalling over $148,000 from them, the court heard.
When Leung Wai-him was arrested at the “headquarters” on April 21, 2008, he was found in his possession three Hong Kong Identity Cards belonging to other persons.
ICAC officers also seized a total of 435 customer copies of sales orders bearing false personal particulars, 308 pre-paid mobile phone SIM cards, and 67 credit cards belonging to other persons, the court was told.
Fong Siu-lun, who was also charged by the ICAC, earlier pleaded guilty to his role in the case, and was sentenced to 16 months’ imprisonment.
The prosecution was today represented by prosecuting counsel Bernard Yuen, assisted by ICAC officer Alan Wong.