Hong Kong's ICAC, police and the Competition Commission have broken up a building repair corruption and bid-rigging syndicate led by an engineering contractor, arresting 50 people, according to ETNet.

The case involves repair projects at 27 housing estates and buildings across the city, with the preliminary total value of the contracts estimated at nearly HK$500 million. Among those arrested were the alleged ringleader and core members of the group, and some suspects had triad backgrounds.

Investigators said the contractor was suspected of using bribery to secure multiple major building repair contracts, including three projects in Eastern District, Wan Chai and Yau Tsim Mong with a combined value of nearly HK$200 million. The operation also blocked contracts that had not yet been awarded. The ICAC said the contractor allegedly bribed engineering consultants and some owners' corporation members, concealed conviction records in tender evaluation reports and split repair projects to bypass approval procedures. Suspected failures by registered inspectors were referred to the Buildings Department for follow-up.