ICAC arrests 148 over fake professional qualifications

RTHK：Video News

The ICAC on Wednesday said they arrested 148 people for allegedly using fake qualifications to obtain excavator operator and electrician licences. Those arrested include construction workers and people who are suspected of providing fake qualifications services. The anti-graft body's principal investigator Glory Leung assured the public that no safety issues have been found so far. "We have [reviewed] works they handled [in the past], whether there's any industrial accident, or other event that led to safety issues, but so far there are no safety issues in those applications involving false qualifications," Leung said. The ICAC said the cases involved criminal masterminds who provided fake courses, with training for excavator operator licences costing about HK$22,000 and those for electrician licences costing between HK$500 to HK$1,000. Upon completion of a fake course, applicants would receive a document claiming they attained the required work experience. Meanwhile, the Labour Department, and the Electrical and Mechanical Services Departments (EMSD) – which are involved in the issuance of working licences for both professions – said they have been cooperating with the watchdog in the law enforcement process. The Labour Department said it launched investigations on training course providers, and its staff members, while the EMSD said it reviewed the registrations of those concerned. One hundred excavator operator and 32 electrician licences have been revoked so far. The departments said they will continue to review and improve their admission and approval procedures to ensure registration standards.