Foreman jailed for defrauding construction firm with facial recognition scam

A former assistant general foreman was sentenced to eight months in prison on Monday, for orchestrating a scheme that defrauded a construction contractor of over HK$250,000 in wages by manipulating a facial recognition system at a Tsim Sha Tsui commercial complex project. 

The sentencing, handed down at West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts yesterday (Sep 15), followed an investigation by Hong Kong’s Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), which exposed a conspiracy involving falsified attendance records.

Tang Yu-ching, aged 44, previously worked for Sunnic Engineering Limited, the main contractor for the commercial complex construction. 

Between December 2022 and January 2023, Tang collaborated with seven other employees to deceive their employer. 

The scheme involved registering six construction workers as general laborers, but instead of requiring them to work, Tang and a foreman, Chan Tin-hon, altered the facial recognition system used for site access and attendance tracking. 

By replacing the workers’ facial images with Chan’s, they falsified records to show the workers were present for 36 to 43 days, triggering wage payments totaling over $250,000. 

These payments were funneled through a subcontractor and ultimately redirected to Tang and Chan.

The court emphasized the severity of the fraud, noting its detrimental impact on the local job market, worker morale, and Hong Kong’s reputation for integrity. 

Tang, who pleaded guilty to six fraud charges, received a reduced sentence of eight months from an initial 12-month term due to his plea. 

Seven other defendants, including Chan and a site administration officer, Lai Yu-kiu, also admitted guilt, with their sentencing scheduled for September 30.

The ICAC launched its investigation following a corruption complaint, uncovering the misuse of the facial recognition system meant to ensure accurate attendance. 

Sunnic Engineering cooperated fully with the investigation.