E-wallet company employees among four charged by ICAC for concealing conflict of interest over application contract

Following a corruption complaint, an ICAC investigation revealed that two employees of an e-wallet company had intentionally concealed their conflicts of interest. The duo allegedly funded and operated a technology service vendor while arranging for their spouses to serve as its directors. They further abused their positions to defraud and induce the company to award a contract for developing an application to the vendor for personal gain. The four individuals were charged today (September 8) by the Commission with conspiracy to defraud.

The four defendants are Lee Chun-yu, 46, then senior business development expert of Alipay Payment Services (HK) Limited (APSHK); Liang Jianen, 44, then senior business development manager of APSHK; as well as Lee’s wife, Leung Ka-lee, 43; and Liang’s wife, Sun Qing, 40.

The defendants face one count of conspiracy to defraud, contrary to the Common Law. They were released on bail, pending their appearance at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts on Thursday (September 10) for plea.

APSHK, a subsidiary of Ant Group Company Limited (Ant Group), operates the Alipay e-wallet in Hong Kong. Ant Group and APSHK have established clear guidelines prohibiting employees from operating or investing in any technology service vendors with which the companies have business dealings, and require employees to declare any conflicts of interest.

At the material time, Lee and Liang were responsible for developing and managing mini-applications (mini-apps) embedded in AlipayHK. In late 2022, Lee arranged Interomni Plus Limited (IPL) as the technology service vendor for a mini-app “EKBooking”, which facilitated users making appointments and payments with medical institutions for vaccination inoculations and health checks via AlipayHK.

The charge alleges that between November 2022 and June 2025, the four defendants conspired together to defraud APSHK by dishonestly registering Leung and Sun as the sole shareholders and directors of IPL, and causing APSHK to engage IPL as the technology service vendor for the “EKBooking” mini-app.

Lee and Liang are further alleged to have operated or invested in IPL during their employment with APSHK, but failing to seek prior approval from Ant Group or APSHK or to report that Leung and Sun were their respective spouses, and failing to declare the relevant conflict of interest.

The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint. Enquiries revealed the above illicit activities. At the material time, IPL charged medical institutions a commission of approximately 5% to 8% on transactions conducted through “EKBooking”.

Ant Group and APSHK rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.

The ICAC recommends that private sector organisations formulate clear guidelines and mechanisms for declaring conflicts of interest. Staff members are reminded to avoid conflicts of interest and to make timely declarations to their employers. Employees who conceal any conflicts of interest in relation to their official duties to benefit themselves or their associates may constitute a breach of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance or other criminal laws.