Ex-bank employee among trio charged by ICAC for allegedly conspiring with intermediary to accept bribes over account opening

A former bank employee and a couple, both insurance agents cum intermediaries, were charged by the ICAC yesterday (April 2) for allegedly conspiring together for the bank employee to accept bribes totalling over $150,000 for assisting clients of the intermediaries to open bank accounts.

Lo Wing-hang, 30, former insurance specialist of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC); and Han Jie, 35, and his wife Zhou Yinying, 34, both insurance agents cum intermediaries; jointly face one count of conspiracy for an agent to accept an advantage, contrary to section 9(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance and section 159A of the Crimes Ordinance.

The trio were released on ICAC bail, pending their appearance at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts next Monday (April 7) for mention.

It is alleged that between November 2022 and December 2024, the three defendants had conspired together for Lo to accept bribes totalling over $150,000 from Han and Zhou for assisting clients referred by Han to open bank accounts with HSBC.

ICAC enquiries revealed that Han had referred over 200 clients to Lo for bank account opening during the abovementioned two years. It is alleged that Lo had accepted a reward, ranging from a few hundred dollars to $1,500, for each successful application.

HSBC rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.