Three cleared in fake national security police scam case
AM730 · 2 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago5 MIN
Summary
Charges have been withdrawn against three defendants in a District Court case alleging they conspired to defraud a man by falsely claiming to be officers from the Hong Kong Police Force's National Security Department. The Department of Justice said on Wednesday it decided to withdraw the prosecution after considering all relevant circumstances and the Prosecution Code.
Key Points
- Judiciary information showed the three defendants had their charges withdrawn after a non-public mention hearing in the District Court on Monday, 7 September, before Judge Yiu Fun-chi
- The Department of Justice said it had withdrawn the charges after considering all relevant circumstances of the case and the Prosecution Code.
- The three defendants were retired man Lee Suet-fai (李雪輝), 58, and civil servants Tang Hui-yeung (鄧栩洋), 30, and Chong Kong-wai (莊港偉), 46.
- They had been charged with conspiracy to defraud over conduct between 14 February and 24 May 2022, allegedly inducing a man surnamed Cheung to hand over money to settle a transaction between Shenzhen Nanbo Float Glass Company and Zhongke Innovation Industry Investment Co Ltd.
- Prosecutors earlier said a defence application for a permanent stay might touch on national security matters, and the court approved a closed hearing under the Criminal Procedure Ordinance.
Why It Matters
The withdrawal ends a closely watched prosecution that had moved partly behind closed doors because both sides said submissions on a permanent-stay application could involve sensitive national security-related information. For Hong Kong readers, the case also drew attention because the allegations involved people accused of impersonating National Security Department officers, but the prosecution has now been discontinued.