Two years' jail for jobs swindler
A Hong Kong businessman was jailed for two years yesterday for running an employment scam that swindled 16 domestic helpers by claiming to find high-paying jobs in South Korea. Wong Chi-wing, 41, ran two employment agencies in Wan Chai last year that offered jobs as factory workers in South Korea that would pay up to $7,300 a month, Kowloon City Court heard.
The victims, aged between 26 and 49 and mostly Filipinos, each paid $2,000 to $5,500 as processing fees upon application. They then waited for good news that never came after Wong disappeared. Wong pleaded guilty to 15 charges of fraud and two of forgery committed between January and October last year.
He was arrested when three victims convinced him to meet them in Hunghom to discuss a refund. They demanded their money back but he refused.
The trio called police and Wong was arrested on the spot. Two job contracts were found on him during a search and he later admitted the offences under caution.
Magistrate Kevin Browne said Wong deserved an immediate custodial sentence because he had been convicted of similar offences.
