Eight Charged Over MOS Burger Ghost Worker Wage Scam
On.cc · 3 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
Eight defendants, including a former MOS Burger branch manager, his wife and six former crew members, appeared at Tuen Mun Magistrates’ Courts over allegations that fake attendance records were used to obtain about HK$680,000 in wages and about HK$60,000 in Mandatory Provident Fund contributions from the chain operator. They were not required to enter pleas at the first hearing, were granted bail, and the case was transferred to the District Court for plea on September 8.
Key Points
- The Independent Commission Against Corruption charged former branch manager Tsui Hin-po, 39, his wife Chan Wing-sze, 28, and six former MOS Burger shop assistants aged 24 to 33.
- The eight defendants face seven counts of conspiracy to defraud linked to MOS Food Hong Kong Ltd, which operates the MOS Burger chain in Hong Kong.
- Prosecutors allege that between October 2022 and June 2024, unauthorized smart cards were used to clock in and create false duty records covering more than 1,500 workdays.
- The alleged false records made six defendants appear to be employees, causing about HK$680,000 in wages and about HK$60,000 in MPF contributions to be paid out.
- ICAC investigators said the six alleged ghost workers held other jobs at the time, never worked at the Tin Shui Wai or Tuen Mun branches, and were told they need not report for duty.
Why It Matters
The case now moves to the District Court, where the prosecution will test allegations that internal attendance and payroll controls at a major fast-food chain were manipulated over an extended period. For Hong Kong employers and workers, the proceedings will be watched for what they show about payroll fraud risks, supervision of branch-level hiring, and the handling of MPF-related losses.