************************************************************
Police charged a 46-year-old man and a 39-year-old woman with a total of four counts of fraud in connection with the Protection of Wages on Insolvency Fund (PWIF) last night (January 12).
Police received a referral from the Labour Department earlier. The Commercial Crime Bureau (CCB) took over the case for investigation which revealed that restaurants were subsequently operated and closed down by the duo in Sham Shui Po and Kowloon City areas from 2001 to 2008.
Initial investigations showed that the duo suspectedly closed down a restaurant and then opened a new one within the original premises with the same equipment but by a different company title. They were also suspected of covering up the assets to the liquidators in the winding up proceedings. Wages owed to corresponding employees were paid by PWIF.
After extensive investigations, CCB officers arrested the duo last night and they were charged with relevant offences.
They will appear at Eastern Magistrates' Courts on January 16.
Police Report No. 218
Issued by PPRB
Ends/Friday, January 13, 2012
Issued at HKT 19:12
NNNN
