The Hong Kong Independent Commission Against Corruption sues the former vice president of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange for allegedly dishonest access to internal information systems

The Zhitong Finance App learned that the Hong Kong Independent Commission against Corruption filed a lawsuit against a former vice president of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEx) this morning (November 4), accusing him of dishonest access to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange's internal information system, which involved confidential information about listed companies. The former vice president's mother was also sued. The case was arraigned in the Eastern Magistrates' Court this afternoon.

Tong Po-hang, 39, former vice president of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange; and her mother, Leung Yiu-chun, 68, are also charged with using a computer for the purpose of dishonestly benefiting herself or others, in violation of section 161 (1) (c) of the Crimes Ordinance.

The charge alleges that between February 2018 and April 2023, the two defendants illegally used the internal information system of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange with the aim of dishonestly benefiting two or others.

The Hong Kong ICAC received a corruption complaint referred by the Hong Kong Securities Regulatory Commission and launched an investigation earlier. Investigations by the Hong Kong ICAC revealed that during the incident, Tang Po-hang was suspected of repeatedly checking confidential information on listed companies unrelated to his position in the Hong Kong Stock Exchange's internal information system, while his mother, Leung Yiu-chun's investment account, carried out stock transactions with related listed companies at a later time, making a profit of over HK$500,000.

The relevant corruption investigations by the Hong Kong ICAC are still ongoing, and it is not ruled out that further prosecutions will be carried out. The Hong Kong ICAC cooperated closely with the Hong Kong Securities Regulatory Commission during the investigation of this case, and received full assistance from the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.