Six asylum seekers and torture claimants in court for $190,000 fraud over allowances
2016-7-13
Six asylum seekers and torture claimants (ASTCs) appeared in the Tsuen Wan Magistracy today (Wednesday) after being charged by the ICAC with defrauding the International Social Service Hong Kong Branch (ISS) of government rental allowances and allowances on utilities charges totalling over $190,000.
One of the defendants, who was charged on Monday (July 11), was Almas, 41; while five other defendants charged yesterday (July 12) were Khalil, 31, MD Mozibur Rahman, 42, Nazmul Huda, 33, Sauj Mondol, 31, and Sumon Numan, 37.
The defendants, charged in separate cases, each faced one count of fraud, contrary to Section 16A of the Theft Ordinance.
The cases arose from a corruption complaint. Subsequent ICAC enquiries revealed the above alleged offences.
Since 2006, ISS, a non-governmental organisation, has been entrusted by the Social Welfare Department to provide assistance-in-kind, including rental allowances and allowances on utilities charges, to ASTCs.
The charges alleged that between March 18, 2010 and February 13, 2014, the defendants falsely represented to ISS that they had rented five premises in Fanling, the New Territories, from three landlords, and with intent to defraud, induced ISS to pay rental allowances and allowances on utilities charges in the total sum of over $190,000 into the bank accounts of the three landlords.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to their charges, and had their cases adjourned to October 13 this year for pre-trial reviews.
ISS has rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation.
The prosecution in the above six cases was today represented by ICAC officer Victor Lee.
One of the defendants, who was charged on Monday (July 11), was Almas, 41; while five other defendants charged yesterday (July 12) were Khalil, 31, MD Mozibur Rahman, 42, Nazmul Huda, 33, Sauj Mondol, 31, and Sumon Numan, 37.
The defendants, charged in separate cases, each faced one count of fraud, contrary to Section 16A of the Theft Ordinance.
The cases arose from a corruption complaint. Subsequent ICAC enquiries revealed the above alleged offences.
Since 2006, ISS, a non-governmental organisation, has been entrusted by the Social Welfare Department to provide assistance-in-kind, including rental allowances and allowances on utilities charges, to ASTCs.
The charges alleged that between March 18, 2010 and February 13, 2014, the defendants falsely represented to ISS that they had rented five premises in Fanling, the New Territories, from three landlords, and with intent to defraud, induced ISS to pay rental allowances and allowances on utilities charges in the total sum of over $190,000 into the bank accounts of the three landlords.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to their charges, and had their cases adjourned to October 13 this year for pre-trial reviews.
ISS has rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation.
The prosecution in the above six cases was today represented by ICAC officer Victor Lee.