5 charged in Hong Kong in case linked to HK$1.5 million in payments to stage crimes to help 2 detainees get lighter sentences for tipoffs
- Independent Commission Against Corruption alleges plot set up to help two inmates get reduced sentences for tipoffs to police
- Suspect allegedly received HK$1.5 million from the two detainees and their families
Hong Kong’s anti-corruption agency has charged five people, including a suspect on remand who allegedly received HK$1.5 million to fabricate two crimes in an attempt to help two fellow detainees obtain sentence reductions in other cases.
Sammy Wong Kok-sum, 39, an inmate at Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre, became acquainted with two other detainees who were awaiting trial in separate robbery and drug-trafficking cases between September 2021 and May 2022, the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) said on Tuesday.
The robbery and drug-trafficking cases were pending mention at the High Court.
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Wong allegedly received a total of HK$1.5 million from the two detainees and their families before he told his girlfriend Lau Chun-yee, 27, and accomplice Kwan Yu-hin, 24, to set up two crime scenes in which unlawful arms, explosives or dangerous drugs were presented at two different locations.
It was arranged for two men to be present at the locations so the two detainees could provide “intelligence” to police with a view to leading to the arrest of the duo and seizure of the unlawful articles.
The ICAC said the plot aimed to facilitate the two inmates’ applications for a reduction of their sentences in the court proceedings of their cases.
The two inmates, respectively, and their family members allegedly paid HK$250,000 and HK$1.25 million to Wong for the arrangements.
The ICAC has charged Wong, Lau and Kwan with two counts of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.
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ICAC inquiries also revealed that Wong allegedly provided HK$319,500 to two other associates, Wan Chin-pang, 27 and Cheng Lok-lam, 24, to coordinate one of the cases.
Wan and Cheng jointly face one count of dealing with property known or believed to represent proceeds of an indictable offence.
The case is scheduled for mention at West Kowloon Court on Wednesday, pending transfer to the District Court for plea.
The spokesman said the case stemmed from a corruption investigation.
