The Hong Kong ICAC sued three then-HSBC account managers for taking bribes to facilitate insurance agents to refer clients to open accounts

The Zhitong Finance App learned that on July 29, the Hong Kong Independent Commission against Corruption filed a lawsuit against three bank employees at the time, accusing them of taking bribes to assist a customer referred by an insurance agent without having to wait in line to open a bank account. On July 31, according to media reports, the case went to court in the Eastern Magistrates' Court. The three defendants are not yet required to respond, pending the defense to request documents and provide legal opinions. The case was adjourned until September 25. The three were granted renewed bail of HK$20,000 to HK$50,000, during which time they were not allowed to contact prosecution witnesses.

Chan Fu Kun, 32; Chan Wai Pak, 29; and You Kai Lung, 33, were all account managers of Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC) at the time of the incident. They were charged with a total of six counts of corruption, namely five counts of conspiracy to get an agent to accept benefits and one agent to accept benefits, in violation of section 9 (1) (a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance and section 159A of the Criminal Offences Ordinance.

The three defendants belonged to the same branch in Causeway Bay at the time of the incident. Their duties included arranging for colleagues to handle bank account opening applications to complete formalities for customers waiting in line. None of the three are authorized to process account opening applications.

The charge alleges that in 2024, Chen Fukun accepted bribes from an insurance agent to open bank accounts for customers referred by the other party. He was involved in bribes of HK$1,000 to HK$1,200 for each customer. In addition, Chen Fukun is suspected of referring some customers to three HSBC account managers, including Chan Wai-pak and You Qilong, to assist in opening accounts, and offering bribes of HK$300 to HK$500 for each referred customer.

Investigations by the Hong Kong ICAC revealed that Chan Fu Kwan suspected of receiving bribes totaling over HK$35,000 to arrange for the insurance agent's referral. There was no need to wait to go through the bank account procedures directly, and requested the assistance of three people, including Chan Wai-pak and Yu Kai-lung, when he had no time to receive the customer concerned.

In the above corruption investigation, the Hong Kong ICAC also revealed that Chan Wai-pak was suspected of betting on an online platform that illegally accepted bets in February 2026. The total amount involved was over HK$120,000. On July 28, he was also charged with betting against bettors, in violation of section 8 of the Gambling Regulations.

HSBC provided full assistance to the Hong Kong ICAC during its investigation of the case.