A mysterious telegraphic transfer almost cost a British electronics company GBP406,237 (HK$5.04 million).
Businessman Cheung Wai is accused of attempting to steal the money by having it transferred from Barclays Bank in London to his company account in Hong Kong, the District Court was told.
The 35-year-old defendant yesterday pleaded not guilty before Deputy Judge Alan Wright.
Prosecutor Jackson Poon told the court a false telegraphic transfer order was sent in the name of London-based Omron Electronics Limited to Barclays.
On October 9 last year, GBP406,237 was sent from Omron's bank account to the bank account of the Flying Dragon Plant and Machinery Company at Chiyu Banking Corporation in Hong Kong, the court heard.
But the money was frozen when Omron's financial controller, Trevor Gregory, discovered the company's balance was wrong, Mr Poon said.