Immigration Assistant in court for $32,000 salary advance fraud
2017-5-9
An Immigration Assistant of the Immigration Department (ImmD) appeared at the Eastern Magistracy today (May 9) after being charged by the ICAC with defrauding the ImmD of a salary advance in the sum of over $32,000.
Patrick Tam Chi-wai, 46, who was charged last Friday (May 5), faced one count of fraud, contrary to Section 16A of the Theft Ordinance.
No plea was taken today. Principal Magistrate Ms Bina Chainrai adjourned the case to June 20 this year for plea.
The case arose from a corruption complaint. Subsequent ICAC enquiries revealed the above alleged offence.
At the material time, the defendant submitted an application form to the Director of Accounting Services via the ImmD for a salary advance to be settled by 20 instalments.
The charge alleged that on July 28, 2014, the defendant dishonestly stated in his salary advance application that he had no outstanding liabilities including, without limitation, all debts and/or advances due to the government, banks and any other financial institutions, and falsely represented to staff members of the ImmD that the information containing in the application was true and complete, and with intent to defraud, induced those staff members to approve his application for the salary advance in the sum of $32,760, which resulted in benefit to him and prejudice to the ImmD.
The defendant was granted cash bail of $1,000. He was also ordered to reside at his reported address, not to leave Hong Kong and not to interfere with prosecution witnesses.
The ImmD had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation.
The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Jeff Ng.
Patrick Tam Chi-wai, 46, who was charged last Friday (May 5), faced one count of fraud, contrary to Section 16A of the Theft Ordinance.
No plea was taken today. Principal Magistrate Ms Bina Chainrai adjourned the case to June 20 this year for plea.
The case arose from a corruption complaint. Subsequent ICAC enquiries revealed the above alleged offence.
At the material time, the defendant submitted an application form to the Director of Accounting Services via the ImmD for a salary advance to be settled by 20 instalments.
The charge alleged that on July 28, 2014, the defendant dishonestly stated in his salary advance application that he had no outstanding liabilities including, without limitation, all debts and/or advances due to the government, banks and any other financial institutions, and falsely represented to staff members of the ImmD that the information containing in the application was true and complete, and with intent to defraud, induced those staff members to approve his application for the salary advance in the sum of $32,760, which resulted in benefit to him and prejudice to the ImmD.
The defendant was granted cash bail of $1,000. He was also ordered to reside at his reported address, not to leave Hong Kong and not to interfere with prosecution witnesses.
The ImmD had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation.
The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Jeff Ng.