A jobless Hong Kong man has been remanded in custody on suspicion of defrauding HK$18,000 (US$2,313) in financial aid intended for those affected by last month’s deadly Tai Po fire.
Kwai Chung resident Fung Chun-kit, 36, was not required to enter a plea during his first appearance at Fanling Court on Friday, as prosecutors sought extra time to investigate the case.
A charge sheet available for media inspection states that Fung successfully registered with the Social Welfare Department for emergency relief by impersonating a victim of the Wang Fuk Court inferno, which claimed at least 160 lives.
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The defendant allegedly said that he was Chan Man-him, a resident of a fifth-floor flat at Wang Shing House, while the actual occupant was Wong Kam-hung.
Fung is accused of using the false identity to obtain a total of HK$18,000 in relief funds from the Home Affairs Department, the Lok Sin Tong Benevolent Society, Kowloon and Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui – the city’s Anglican church – between November 29 and Tuesday.
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When the accused was stopped by police shortly after receiving financial assistance from the church, he failed to show his identity card when asked by an officer, according to the court document.