Twenty charged by ICAC for conspiracy to defraud EMSD over registered electrical worker certificates by falsifying work experience

Following a corruption investigation by the ICAC which revealed that some individuals had illegally applied for certificates of registration as electrical workers and misled the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) to issue the relevant certificates by falsifying work experience, the Commission mounted an operation codenamed “Beacon Tower”, arresting a number of people. After conducting intensive investigations and seeking legal advice, a total of 20 people were charged with multiple counts of conspiracy to defraud in three cases yesterday and today (January 27 and 28).

In the first case, the defendants are Fung Tak-lap, 59, proprietor of K-ONE Power & Interior Design Co. (K-ONE); and 17 electrical workers aged between 37 and 66. Fung faces a total of 26 counts of conspiracy to defraud, contrary to the Common Law; while each of the remaining defendants faces one of the charges.

The 17 electrical workers are Wan Ping-hung, Yung Yau-leung, Mak Kwok-wah, Lu Jialiang, Lin Zhuangfu, Tang Chi-ho, Au Sai-hing, Feng Rui, Huang Jieyu, Li Wai-hong, Walter Lo Yuen-yik, Fong Shiu-wang, Man Wai-lok, Hui Yat-shun, Chung Chi-shing, Hui Chun-ming and Chen Junying.

The defendants were released on ICAC bail, pending their appearance at the Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (January 29) for mention. The prosecution will apply to transfer the case to the District Court for plea.

Two other electrical workers, Law Wai-ming and Yip Man-lam, aged 61 and 39 respectively, were each charged with one count of conspiracy to defraud. The duo were also released on bail, pending their appearance at the Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow for plea in two cases.

Any person who performs electrical installation work in Hong Kong is required to register with the EMSD as a Registered Electrical Worker. Certificates of registration are categorised in five grades, of which Grade A is classified as the elementary level (commonly known as Grade A Electrical Work Certificate). Applicants are required to meet various requirements, including possessing at least five years’ work experience in electrical work. Written proof supporting an applicant’s relevant work experience should be submitted with the application form for EMSD’s assessment.

Between October 2018 and October 2024, K-ONE had organised a paid training course for potential Grade A Electrical Work Certificates applicants. At that time, the 19 electrical workers concerned had submitted their applications for Grade A Electrical Work Certificates to the EMSD. They were either students of the K-ONE training course or individuals referred to Fung by others.

The charges allege that Fung and the 17 co-defendants had conspired together with others to defraud the EMSD by falsely representing to the EMSD that the electrical workers concerned had been employed by K-ONE or seven other engineering companies for electrical work-related jobs, thereby inducing the EMSD to approve and issue Grade A Electrical Work Certificates to the 17 electrical workers concerned.

It is suspected that Wan and Yip had conspired with others to use similar fraudulent means to deceive the EMSD into approving and issuing Grade A Electrical Work Certificates to the duo.

The ICAC investigation revealed that Fung was the proprietor of K-ONE and two other electrical engineering companies implicated in the cases. He had allegedly assisted the electrical workers in falsifying employment proof documents supporting their five-year electrical work experience to facilitate their applications to the EMSD for Grade A Electrical Work Certificates.

The EMSD rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the cases, and revoked the certificates of the applicants in the cases.

An ICAC spokesperson urges members of the public to stay vigilant against making applications to the government or licensing authorities by illegal and fraudulent means, which is a serious crime. In view of the corruption risks revealed by the cases, the ICAC has completed a corruption prevention review of the EMSD’s procedures for the registration and regulation of electrical contractors and workers. The EMSD is implementing the ICAC’s recommendations to reduce the corruption risks of the associated procedures. The ICAC continues to partner with the EMSD to enhance integrity in the industry, including stepping up preventive education to curb any illegalities and irregularities.