Barry Cheung Chun-yuen downloaded an e-mail containing an allegedly fake document involved in the Hong Kong Mercantile Exchange scandal, a court heard yesterday.文件倉 Malaysian businessman Ong Shen Kuo, who was accused of possessing a false proof of funds statement involving US$516 million (HK$4.02 billion), pleaded not guilty in the Eastern Court yesterday. The defendant's attorney said Ong, 59, a middleman for Cheung's fundraising deals, sent an e-mail in December to Cheung requesting the latter to prudently handle a proof of funds document which involved 10 tonnes of gold. In the e-mail the defendant wrote: ``Please handle this POF document in a very discreet manner thanks.'' Cheung downloaded the document, Ong's lawyer Kevin Egan said. The HKMEx, chaired by Cheung, surrendered its trading license in May amid its deteriorating financial position and subsequently came under police investigation in relation to fraud. It is understood that Ong told Ch存倉ung he could help him borrow money from Chinese merchants based in Thailand. Ong claimed that a business partner, surnamed Kwok, was able to provide the document involved in the case but Kwok demanded 6 percent commission. Ong said he tried to go to Thailand to verify the document but was arrested in Hong Kong. Ong remained in custody as the magistrate rejected a request to release him on HK$100,000 bail, which was objected to by the prosecutor who said the defendant does not have a permanent dwelling in Hong Kong. The pre-trial hearing will last for three days from September 19 while the formal trial will begin in October. Meanwhile, Cheung reiterated to Bloomberg yesterday that he and HKMEx are ``victims.'' ``We were provided with documents we did not know were false,'' he said. He declined to comment on the Ong case. Police have arrested nine and charged four in connection with the collapse of the exchange. victor.cheung@singtaonewscorp.com 自存倉
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