A former and two serving property agents have been charged by the ICAC today (May 27) with conspiracy to defraud a property agency of a commission of $5,400 by falsely representing the involvement of one of the trio in the leasing transaction of a residential property.

Kwok Suk-yin, 49, former property agent of Centaline Property Agency Limited (Centaline Property); Chu Hong-luen, 34, and Wong Yuk-keung, 34, both property agents of Centaline Property, face a joint charge of conspiracy to defraud, contrary to Common Law.

The defendants will appear at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts on Friday (May 29) for plea.

The case arose from a corruption complaint. Subsequent ICAC enquiries revealed the above alleged offence.

At the material time, the defendants were property agents of Centaline Property. Wong was the supervisor of Kwok and Chu who were responsible for procuring property transactions.

Sales commissions of property agents of Centaline Property were calculated on a progressive commission rate. A property agent achieving a higher sales turnover would enjoy a higher sales commission rate.

The charge alleges that between July 25 and August 17, 2018, Kwok, Chu and Wong conspired together to defraud Centaline Property by dishonestly falsely representing to the company that Chu was the negotiator of the leasing transaction of a residential property in Tai Kok Tsui, Kowloon in July 2018, thereby inducing and causing Centaline Property to pay a commission of over $5,400 to Chu.

It is alleged that Centaline Property was caused to pay an extra of over $2,200 in commission due to the false representation made by the trio.

Centaline Property has rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.

The defendants have been released on ICAC bail, pending their court appearance on Friday.