'Informer' faces conspiracy counts

AN alleged police informer found himself in the dock at the High Court yesterday, charged with conspiracy to use a forged US$10 million (HK$78 million) bank draft with intent to defraud.

Leung Ping-shing, 53, along with businessmen Ding Kam-din, 41, and Choy Siu-tim, 35, and businesswoman Hui Sum-kit, 48, faces a charge of conspiracy to utter a forged bank draft purporting to be validly issued by the Thai Military Bank Bangkok.

Leung, Ding and Choy face a second charge of conspiracy to utter a forged US$8 million time certificate of deposit issued by the Bank of Philippine Islands with intent to defraud.

Ding faces a third charge of possession of two forged US$100 banknotes.

They are on trial before Deputy Judge Evans and a jury, and have denied all charges. The trial is expected to last four weeks.

In his opening address, Senior Crown Counsel Mr Tony Schapel said the case involved a large syndicate which, in early 1991, tried to deceive banks to extend funds to the defendants by using forged documents.

The case came to light when Leung and an undercover officer went to a meeting on March 12, 1991, at which all the alleged conspirators were said to be present.

At the meeting, the US$10 million bank draft was discussed, the court was told. The draft had earlier been presented to the National Bank of Pakistan and staff there had found it to be forged, counsel said.

If the plan had materialised, Leung and Choy stood to gain US$1.4 million each, he said. All the defendants at the meeting were arrested.

Mr Schapel said an alleged co-conspirator, who had been given immunity against prosecution, would tell the court he was introduced to the defendants and others by Ding.

He had also met a man called Paul Simon (also known as Felipe Dumbrique and Lloyd Simon) who apparently came up with forged documents.

The Crown case is that the two documents were created with an intent to defraud and that was what the defendants intended.

The hearing continues.