Illegal gambling mastermind and football club owner among four charged in match-fixing scandal

The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) announced on Thursday that it has charged four individuals, including the mastermind of an illegal gambling syndicate and the owner of a Hong Kong Second Division football club, with involvement in football match-fixing.

This operation, named "Tenacity," targeted activities during the 2021/2022 football season.

The individuals charged include Yao Xiaocong, 40, an illegal bookmaker; Lo Hong-ming, 30, owner and coach of the Fu Moon Athletic Association, who also played as a defender; So Chun-yin, 32, a midfielder for Fu Moon; and Wong Him-chun, 32, an illegal betting agent and former Fu Moon player. 

They face charges of conspiracy to offer an advantage to an agent and conspiracy to defraud.

Investigations revealed that the accused orchestrated a scheme to manipulate match results to benefit their illegal betting operations, offering bribes totaling over HK$240,000 to various players. 

The scheme involved taking control of Fu Moon to facilitate these activities, with Lo allegedly receiving HK$60,000 in this context. Yao, along with So and Wong, is accused of directing match-fixing efforts by signaling to players during games.

The offenses spanned from April 2021 to August 2022, during which time Fu Moon competed in the HK Second Division League, governed by the Football Association of Hong Kong, China. The association's Code of Ethics, which prohibits illegal betting, bribery, and match-fixing, was violated.

The case is set for mention at Eastern Magistrates' Courts on March 7.

With the ICAC's investigations ongoing, further prosecutions may be pending.