Ex-enumerator charged with fraud over ICAC annual survey
2014-11-5
A former part-time enumerator of a marketing research company has been charged by the ICAC today (Wednesday) with fraud and attempted fraud by using its 2013 annual survey questionnaires containing false information to deceive remuneration from the company.
Hsu Shui-pang, 40, a former part-time enumerator of MVA Hong Kong Limited (MVA), faces 16 charges –'96 nine of fraud, contrary to Section 16A of the Theft Ordinance; and seven of attempted fraud, contrary to Section 16A of the Theft Ordinance and Section 159G of the Crimes Ordinance.
The defendant has been released on ICAC bail, pending his appearance at the Eastern Magistracy in the morning of this Friday (November 7) for plea.
The case arose from a corruption complaint. Subsequent ICAC enquiries revealed the above alleged offences of fraud and attempted fraud.
At the material time, the defendant was a part-time enumerator of MVA, which was engaged by the ICAC’s Community Relations Department to conduct its 2013 annual survey on the public’s perception of corruption.
Nine of the charges allege that the defendant falsely represented to MVA that he had conducted nine interviews with the targeted household members living in nine addresses as recorded in the ICAC Annual Survey 2013 questionnaires, and with intent to defra ud, induced MVA to pay him remuneration at the rate of $100 per questionnaire.
Seven other charges allege that the defendant falsely represented to MVA that he had conducted seven interviews with the targeted household members, who were within the age range of 15 to 64 or whose coming birthdays were closest to the interview dates, a s recorded in the ICAC Annual Survey 2013 questionnaires, and with intent to defraud, attempted to induce MVA to pay him remuneration at the rate of $100 per questionnaire.
The ICAC commissioned the marketing research company to conduct its annual survey last year, and the household interviews were conducted between October 19 and December 17, 2013. A small number of questionnaires were found to fail the quality check and w ere eliminated. The ICAC had given a detailed account to the Community Research Sub-Committee and the Citizens Advisory Committee on Community Relations. Both committees were fully aware of the matter and considered that elimination of such questionnaires did not affect the integrity of the survey or the validity of the data collected. Findings of the ICAC Annual Survey 2013 were released in June this year after both committees endorsed the overall survey findings.
Hsu Shui-pang, 40, a former part-time enumerator of MVA Hong Kong Limited (MVA), faces 16 charges –'96 nine of fraud, contrary to Section 16A of the Theft Ordinance; and seven of attempted fraud, contrary to Section 16A of the Theft Ordinance and Section 159G of the Crimes Ordinance.
The defendant has been released on ICAC bail, pending his appearance at the Eastern Magistracy in the morning of this Friday (November 7) for plea.
The case arose from a corruption complaint. Subsequent ICAC enquiries revealed the above alleged offences of fraud and attempted fraud.
At the material time, the defendant was a part-time enumerator of MVA, which was engaged by the ICAC’s Community Relations Department to conduct its 2013 annual survey on the public’s perception of corruption.
Nine of the charges allege that the defendant falsely represented to MVA that he had conducted nine interviews with the targeted household members living in nine addresses as recorded in the ICAC Annual Survey 2013 questionnaires, and with intent to defra ud, induced MVA to pay him remuneration at the rate of $100 per questionnaire.
Seven other charges allege that the defendant falsely represented to MVA that he had conducted seven interviews with the targeted household members, who were within the age range of 15 to 64 or whose coming birthdays were closest to the interview dates, a s recorded in the ICAC Annual Survey 2013 questionnaires, and with intent to defraud, attempted to induce MVA to pay him remuneration at the rate of $100 per questionnaire.
The ICAC commissioned the marketing research company to conduct its annual survey last year, and the household interviews were conducted between October 19 and December 17, 2013. A small number of questionnaires were found to fail the quality check and w ere eliminated. The ICAC had given a detailed account to the Community Research Sub-Committee and the Citizens Advisory Committee on Community Relations. Both committees were fully aware of the matter and considered that elimination of such questionnaires did not affect the integrity of the survey or the validity of the data collected. Findings of the ICAC Annual Survey 2013 were released in June this year after both committees endorsed the overall survey findings.