Corruption Doesn't Pay (å»Âæ¿è±éÂÂä¹Âç«æ§ÂæÂÂæ ) is a 1995 Hong Kong police procedural television drama starring Sheren Tang, Esther Kwan, Kiki Sheung, Waise Lee, and . The series was first broadcast on TVB in Hong Kong from 8 May to 2 June 1995. The 20-episode long series focuses on the Independent Commission Against Corruption solving different cases of a financial nature. Insurance fraud in episode 1âÂÂ3; immigration stamp fraud in episode 5âÂÂ7; credit card fraud in episode 7âÂÂ10; drug smuggling and police corruption in episode 10âÂÂ13; shell companies and money laundering in episodes 14âÂÂ20. Tang, Kwan, and Sheung portray the armed women investigators who help crack the cases.
The television serial was written by Lam Shiu Chi, who also wrote the similar themed, and similar Chinese titled TVB direct-to-video television movie Sharpshooters (å»Âæ¿è±éÂÂ) in 1994. That movie, starring Kara Wai, Elvina Kong, and Lee Kwai Ying, also focused on the armed women crime fighters of the ICAC.
The Independent Commission Against Corruption has many talented people who help fight financial crime and corruption. Poon (Sheren Tang) a senior investigator in the Operations department is the only female Arms Issued Officer (AIO) among the nearly two dozen armed officers within the organization. Her bravery in rescuing Polly (Ester Kwan) in a hostage situation impresses upon Polly to join the ICAC to work with Poon. Together, Poon, Polly, and colleague Si Lai (Kiki Sheung) solve major cases, undergo dangerous missions, and become best friends.
While the trio has demanding work careers, they also have personal lives. Their relationship with their family and partners soon come into conflict. Poon separates from her long time boyfriend; Polly deals with her estranged stepfather; Si Lai's husband grows closer to the babysitter.