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A cross-border truck driver charged with committing fraud against the Protection of Wages on Insolvency Fund (PWIF) was sentenced to 180 hours of community service today (January 5) at the Shatin Magistrates' Courts.
The case was referred by the Labour Department to the Police for investigation. Subsequently, the Police took out prosecution against the driver for committing fraud under the Theft Ordinance. The driver pleaded guilty to the charge on December 15.
In July 2009, the truck driver alleged to the Labour Department (LD) that he was still owed wages that his employer had previously agreed to settle at LD. The truck driver requested to apply for ex gratia payments from the PWIF. While verifying the PWIF application, LD discovered that the driver had already received most of the wages owed and may be involved in defrauding the PWIF.
The LD spokesman welcomed the court judgement and said, "We endeavour to combat PWIF abuses. During our verification of PWIF applications, if any employer, employee or other person is suspected to be involved in abuses or fraud involving PWIF, or other suspected crimes or offences, we will refer the case to the Police or other appropriate law enforcement departments for action."
According to the Theft Ordinance, the maximum penalty of committing fraud is 14 years' imprisonment.
Ends/Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Issued at HKT 12:20
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