ICAC arrests 21 in crackdown on building maintenance corruption syndicate linked to two housing estates
2026-1-2
In a law enforcement operation mounted last week, the ICAC neutralised a building maintenance corruption syndicate controlled by individuals with triad background. A total of 21 people linked to two grand renovation projects in Kwun Tong district, including backbone members of the corruption syndicate, were arrested.
The arrestees, comprising 15 men and six women aged between 30 and 81, included middlemen, project consultants, project contractors and members of incorporated owners (IO). Some of the arrestees have triad background.
During the operation, ICAC officers searched multiple locations, including offices of the project consultants and project contractors, and seized various exhibits, including relevant tender documents.
The operation targeted the grand renovation projects at two housing estates in Kwun Tong District. In one of the projects, the project contractor had allegedly bribed the project consultant and some IO members through middlemen to secure works contract worth a total sum of about $33 million. In another project, which was at the preparatory stage, middlemen had allegedly collected instruments of proxy from flat owners by corrupt means in an attempt to manipulate the IO of the estate, so that the relevant renovation works contracts could be secured in future.
Following the enforcement action, the ICAC had proactively contacted relevant stakeholders of the two housing estates, reminding them to stay vigilant to corruption risks when handling the projects concerned.
Building maintenance is closely related to the public and involves multiple stakeholders. The ICAC has always attached great importance to corruption in building maintenance, adopting a three-pronged strategy of law enforcement, systemic prevention and community education in tackling these cases. In combating corruption and other illegal acts in building maintenance works, the ICAC has carried out vigorous law enforcement, made timely and proactive interventions, and worked closely with other departments and organisations in accordance with a clear division of labour. In addition, the ICAC has offered step‑by‑step guidance for IOs and property owners on planning and managing building maintenance projects. Professional training courses have also been organised to help different stakeholders in the sector implement good governance and robust internal control systems. The ICAC has also all along engaged with building management bodies, district governance teams and flat owners through various channels, including visits, talks and seminars, to explain to them the anti-corruption laws, and to encourage IOs to adopt proactive measures to enhance transparency and strengthen communication with flat owners.
The arrestees, comprising 15 men and six women aged between 30 and 81, included middlemen, project consultants, project contractors and members of incorporated owners (IO). Some of the arrestees have triad background.
During the operation, ICAC officers searched multiple locations, including offices of the project consultants and project contractors, and seized various exhibits, including relevant tender documents.
The operation targeted the grand renovation projects at two housing estates in Kwun Tong District. In one of the projects, the project contractor had allegedly bribed the project consultant and some IO members through middlemen to secure works contract worth a total sum of about $33 million. In another project, which was at the preparatory stage, middlemen had allegedly collected instruments of proxy from flat owners by corrupt means in an attempt to manipulate the IO of the estate, so that the relevant renovation works contracts could be secured in future.
Following the enforcement action, the ICAC had proactively contacted relevant stakeholders of the two housing estates, reminding them to stay vigilant to corruption risks when handling the projects concerned.
Building maintenance is closely related to the public and involves multiple stakeholders. The ICAC has always attached great importance to corruption in building maintenance, adopting a three-pronged strategy of law enforcement, systemic prevention and community education in tackling these cases. In combating corruption and other illegal acts in building maintenance works, the ICAC has carried out vigorous law enforcement, made timely and proactive interventions, and worked closely with other departments and organisations in accordance with a clear division of labour. In addition, the ICAC has offered step‑by‑step guidance for IOs and property owners on planning and managing building maintenance projects. Professional training courses have also been organised to help different stakeholders in the sector implement good governance and robust internal control systems. The ICAC has also all along engaged with building management bodies, district governance teams and flat owners through various channels, including visits, talks and seminars, to explain to them the anti-corruption laws, and to encourage IOs to adopt proactive measures to enhance transparency and strengthen communication with flat owners.