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Hong Kong’s ICAC arrested 33 people in mid-January operations “Thunderclap” and “Thunder,” dismantling two syndicates accused of bribing officials and submitting around 1,500 fake applications to defraud over HK$150 million from government tech subsidy schemes.
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In Operation “Thunderclap,” nine suspects aged 27–58—including an IT services supplier owner, staff, accomplices, three vendor owners and a former Cyberport employee—were arrested.
The group allegedly submitted over 1,000 applications under the Digital Transformation Support Pilot Programme (DTSPP), seeking HK$50 million in grants. ICAC and Cyberport cooperation halted HK$31 million in payments.
Investigators suspect the syndicate bribed the former Cyberport staff member with gifts, free travel and deferred benefits to bypass checks and speed approvals.
The scheme involved vendors offering “free” assistance to SMEs while inflating costs and falsely claiming applicants paid the required share.
Operation “Thunder” led to the arrest of 18 men and 6 women aged 30–66, including four IT supplier owners, a bank manager, an insurance agent, an accounting manager and shell company operators.
The group submitted about 470 applications under the Technology Voucher Programme (TVP), seeking over HK$100 million. Authorities blocked HK$94 million.
The organized syndicate allegedly bribed professionals to open bank accounts and fabricate accounting records, MPF contributions and business activity proofs for shell companies that never bought equipment.
No other Cyberport, Innovation and Technology Commission, or Hong Kong Productivity Council staff were implicated. ICAC praised inter-agency cooperation and will release a Corruption Prevention Guide on Innovation and Technology Funding Schemes in Q2 2026, plus anti-corruption training for public-sector grant managers.
Cyberport and ITC spokespersons emphasized zero tolerance, rigorous vetting and full support for ICAC investigations.
