Five people have admitted defrauding a courier service company of $1.3 million in courier fees.

Former Treasure Technology Development operator Fong Pui-fun, former Treasure Technology employee Tsang Siu-nam, former Top-Win Express team leader, Tsang Siu-kei, and former Top-Win couriers Chan Chi-wai and Au Cho-ming pleaded guilty to a joint charge of conspiracy to defraud at the District Court today.

Fong and Tsang Siu-nam admitted one count of conspiracy to offer an advantage to an agent, while Tsang Siu-kei, Chan and Au each pleaded guilty to one count of accepting an advantage. Deputy Judge Henry Mierczak adjourned sentencing to September 5.

In July 2006 a Mainlander instructed Fong to form Treasure Technology to run a forwarding business in Hong Kong. Top-Win had been engaged by DHL Express (HK) to collect parcels for from buildings in Cheung Sha Wan and Lai Chi Kok since 2001.

The Mainlander and Fong asked Tsang Siu-kei, Chan and Au to participate in a fraudulent scheme by which Treasure Technology used the accounts of DHL's clients to send Treasure Technology parcels without having to pay. As a result the accounts of 92 DHL clients were misused, involving 263 shipments. DHL suffered $1.3 million in losses.

To reward the assistance of Tsang Siu-kei, Chan and Au, Fong and Tsang Siu-nam conspired together with the Mainlander to offer a total of $30,000 to them. Tsang Siu-kei, Chan and Au accepted $27,500, $1,000 and $1,500 respectively.