Man charged by ICAC gets 14 months’ jail for $150,000 fraud over SWD’s traffic accident assistance payment
2024-12-23
An ICAC investigation earlier revealed that a couple had defrauded the Social Welfare Department (SWD) of Traffic Accident Victim Assistance (TAVA) payments and insurers of medical compensation totalling about $680,000 by making false representation about their injuries in traffic accidents. The wife was earlier jailed for two years after pleading guilty to charges involving about $530,000 while the husband, convicted of defrauding the SWD of about $150,000 after trial, was today (December 23) sentenced to 14 months’ imprisonment at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts.
Yeung Ping-wai, 42, part-time chef, was earlier found guilty of one count of fraud, contrary to section 16A of the Theft Ordinance.
In sentencing, Deputy Magistrate Mr Paul Yip Shing-lam remarked that Yeung committed an offence to defraud the SWD of TAVA payment with intent. Considering that public fund and an offence serious in nature were involved in the present case, the court imposed a 14 months’ imprisonment on Yeung.
The court heard that SWD’s TAVA Scheme provided immediate financial assistance to traffic accident victims where applicants are required to submit application forms and sick leave certificates to the SWD.
In late May 2021, Yeung submitted a TAVA application to the SWD, claiming that he was injured in a traffic accident in March 2021. A supporting medical certificate purportedly issued by the Hospital Authority (HA) for two months’ sick leave was also attached. The SWD subsequently granted a payment of about $150,000 under the TAVA Scheme to Yeung.
The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint. Enquiries revealed that Yeung did not visit an HA clinic for medical treatment on the date he stated on the application and he was not issued any sick leave certificate.
Yeung’s wife, Chong Siu-fong, 41, was earlier sentenced to two years’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to having defrauded the SWD of TAVA payment and three insurers of medical compensation totalling about $530,000 by similar means of submitting false medical certificates.
Chan Hok-yan, 46, ex-spouse of Chong’s elder sister, was also charged with one count of fraud and six counts of conspiracy to defraud in the present case. He failed to attend court on March 8 this year and a warrant for his arrest was issued by the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts on the same day.
The SWD and the HA had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the cases.
The prosecution was today represented by prosecuting counsel Mark Wei, assisted by ICAC officer Teresa Cheung.
Yeung Ping-wai, 42, part-time chef, was earlier found guilty of one count of fraud, contrary to section 16A of the Theft Ordinance.
In sentencing, Deputy Magistrate Mr Paul Yip Shing-lam remarked that Yeung committed an offence to defraud the SWD of TAVA payment with intent. Considering that public fund and an offence serious in nature were involved in the present case, the court imposed a 14 months’ imprisonment on Yeung.
The court heard that SWD’s TAVA Scheme provided immediate financial assistance to traffic accident victims where applicants are required to submit application forms and sick leave certificates to the SWD.
In late May 2021, Yeung submitted a TAVA application to the SWD, claiming that he was injured in a traffic accident in March 2021. A supporting medical certificate purportedly issued by the Hospital Authority (HA) for two months’ sick leave was also attached. The SWD subsequently granted a payment of about $150,000 under the TAVA Scheme to Yeung.
The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint. Enquiries revealed that Yeung did not visit an HA clinic for medical treatment on the date he stated on the application and he was not issued any sick leave certificate.
Yeung’s wife, Chong Siu-fong, 41, was earlier sentenced to two years’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to having defrauded the SWD of TAVA payment and three insurers of medical compensation totalling about $530,000 by similar means of submitting false medical certificates.
Chan Hok-yan, 46, ex-spouse of Chong’s elder sister, was also charged with one count of fraud and six counts of conspiracy to defraud in the present case. He failed to attend court on March 8 this year and a warrant for his arrest was issued by the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts on the same day.
The SWD and the HA had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the cases.
The prosecution was today represented by prosecuting counsel Mark Wei, assisted by ICAC officer Teresa Cheung.