Then employee of HKEX Listing Division charged by ICAC for alleged bribes-for-confidential-information-disclosure, two others face perversion charge

A then Assistant Vice President of the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) was charged by the ICAC last Friday (November 21) for allegedly accepting bribes of $150,000 for disclosing confidential information of listed companies. Two other individuals were charged with perversion in respect of a criminal investigation by the ICAC and the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) into suspected insider dealings.

Tam Cheuk-yin, 38, former Assistant Vice President, IT Team of the Listing Division of the HKEX, faces two counts of public servant accepting an advantage, contrary to section 4(2)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.

Co-defendants Alan Chau Tsz-kong, 38; and Tang Hing-yu, 39, jointly face one count of perverting the course of public justice, contrary to the Common Law.

The trio were released on ICAC bail while their case is set for mention at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (November 25). The prosecution will apply to transfer the case to the District Court for plea.

Earlier, the ICAC received a corruption complaint in respect of insider dealings referred by the SFC. The two agencies launched a joint investigation. Investigation by the ICAC revealed that at the material time, Tam, due to his operational need, was authorised to access emails of the HKEX containing confidential information and documents, some of which concerned sensitive information of listed companies. The information was accessible only to personnel of the Listing Division for discharging their official duties, and was not allowed to be disclosed to unauthorised parties.

In June and December 2024, Tam allegedly accepted two bribe payments totalling $150,000 from Chau for disclosing to the latter price-related confidential information that he illegally retrieved from the email system of the HKEX.

It is alleged that on March 4, 2025, Chau and Tang did a series of acts with intent to pervert the course of public justice in a criminal investigation against Chau relating to allegations of insider dealings. Chau is suspected of instructing Tang to safekeep cash in the sum of about $3.9 million, two watches worth a total of over $1 million and a mobile phone, and to tamper with the car camera recording of Tang to frustrate the investigation.

As the bribery investigation is ongoing, the ICAC would not rule out taking further enforcement actions or prosecuting other implicated individuals.

The ICAC and the SFC have been working closely into the case while the HKEX has been fully assisting the two agencies.

The ICAC attaches great importance to upholding the integrity of Hong Kong’s financial market and takes resolute enforcement actions to combat corrupt practices and misconduct which might undermine the fair operation of the market. In view of the present case, the ICAC has assisted the HKEX to review and enhance its relevant systems to avoid the recurrence of such incidents.