Second-hand harp buyer charged with impersonating C&E officer and blackmail
2019-7-8
A buyer of a second-hand harp has been charged by the ICAC today (July 8) with impersonating an officer of the Customs and Excise Department (C&E) and blackmailing the vendor over the provision of a harp tuning key during the sale of the musical instrument.
Lee Wai-kin, 33, sole proprietor of a piano school, faces two charges – one of falsely pretending to be a public officer, contrary to Section 22 of the Summary Offences Ordinance; and one of blackmail, contrary to Section 23(1) of the Theft Ordinance.
The defendant will appear at the West Kowloon Magistracy on Wednesday (July 10) for plea.
The case arose from a corruption complaint. Subsequent ICAC enquiries revealed the above alleged offences.
On January 16, 2019, the defendant visited a harp and piano school in Mongkok to purchase a second-hand harp from its sole proprietor (the vendor) at $12,500. After payment was made, he found that a tuning key was not included in the price.
One of the charges alleges that the defendant falsely pretended to be a C&E officer at the harp and piano school on that day.
The other charge alleges that the defendant made an unwarranted demand of a harp tuning key, worth $200, from the vendor with menaces at the harp and piano school on the same day.
The C&E has rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
The defendant has been released on ICAC bail, pending his court appearance on Wednesday.
Lee Wai-kin, 33, sole proprietor of a piano school, faces two charges – one of falsely pretending to be a public officer, contrary to Section 22 of the Summary Offences Ordinance; and one of blackmail, contrary to Section 23(1) of the Theft Ordinance.
The defendant will appear at the West Kowloon Magistracy on Wednesday (July 10) for plea.
The case arose from a corruption complaint. Subsequent ICAC enquiries revealed the above alleged offences.
On January 16, 2019, the defendant visited a harp and piano school in Mongkok to purchase a second-hand harp from its sole proprietor (the vendor) at $12,500. After payment was made, he found that a tuning key was not included in the price.
One of the charges alleges that the defendant falsely pretended to be a C&E officer at the harp and piano school on that day.
The other charge alleges that the defendant made an unwarranted demand of a harp tuning key, worth $200, from the vendor with menaces at the harp and piano school on the same day.
The C&E has rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
The defendant has been released on ICAC bail, pending his court appearance on Wednesday.