Dole fraud gets rare take from welfare chief

Leopold Chen

Welfare fraud is uncommon in Hong Kong, with less than 0.2 percent of Comprehensive Social Security Assistance scheme recipients found to be cheating the system, Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han said.

Replying to a question from Legislative Council member Junius Ho Kwan-yiu yesterday, Sun said residents had in the 2021-2022 financial year reported 1,143 suspected cases of dole fraud, while the Social Welfare Department had detected 550 cases.

However, only 323 of the cases were sustained after investigation, making up less than 0.2 percent of the 220,000 CSSA recipients.

According to data released by Sun, the number of CSSA frauds in 2021-2022 were fewer than the previous year's 370 cases, while the number in the first half of the present fiscal year stands at 196.

"At present, there are six special investigation teams within the SWD to detect suspected CSSA fraud cases and recover overpayments," Sun said.

"The teams comprise about 120 social security grade officers, and employ six retired disciplined services officers as investigation advisers to assist in complex cases."

Sun also said the department managed to tackle dole fraud by reminding applicants and the public to report their circumstances honestly and drawing their attention to the serious consequences of defrauding CSSA payments.

"The SWD will continue to adopt a stringent approach to handling each application, implement initiatives in different areas and endeavor to prevent and counteract CSSA fraud, to ensure proper use of public funds," Sun said.

Ho said that of 978 suspected CSSA fraud cases in 2018-2019, only 51 ended in convictions, casting doubt on the deterrent effect on CSSA abusers.

The Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong's Legco member Steven Ho Chun-yin said he learned from community workers that there are many people abusing the CSSA, and he is concerned about whether the current mechanism could effectively identify those in need.

According to the Theft Ordinance, CSSA frauds are punishable by imprisonment, bind-over orders, community service orders or fines.