The former chairman of a publicly listed company and a certified public accountant, charged for alleged fraud over the listing of the company and applications for Letters of Credit, were given an additional theft charge in Eastern Magistracy today.

Fu Chu-kan, 46, former chairman of Gold Wo International Holdings, and Li Wing-kei, 37, a certified public accountant, faced an additional charge of conspiracy to steal over $23 million from Gold Wo.

No pleas were taken. The case was adjourned to September 30 for mention.

The additional charge alleged that between April 12 and May 31, 2001, Fu and Li had conspired with others to steal $23,660,000 from Gold Wo.

Fu, Li and three others - Fu Yin-ling, 51, and Lo Chun-nam, 53, respectively former Gold Wo vice-chairlady and director; and Kwok Shuk-wah, 30, Win Dragon Consultants director - were earlier charged by the Independent Commission Against Corruption on four counts of conspiracy to defraud.

The five were alleged to have conspired with others to defraud in relation to the listing of the company on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong and applications for L/Cs totalling over $290 million.

Fu Chu-kan, Fu Yin-ling, Lo and Li were each granted cash bail of $500,000, while Kwok was granted bail of $300,000 in cash and $200,000 cash surety.