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Two Mainland men and a Hong Kong woman who involved in two bogus marriage cases were given jail sentences from 12 to 18 months after appearing in Sha Tin Magistrates' Court.
Today's (March 9) court case involved 25-year-old Hong Kong resident Chui Man-yi who twice contracted a bogus marriage with a Mainland resident. She pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud and one count of signing a false declaration for the purpose of procuring a marriage. She was given an effective sentence of 18 months.
Chui's Mainland bogus husband, 25-year-old You Youqing, pleaded guilty to three counts of making false representation to an Immigration officer and one count of conspiracy to defraud. He was jailed for 18 months.
In January, 2007, You was stopped at the Lo Wu control point and there was doubt about the purpose of his visit. He later admitted that he had contracted a bogus marriage with Chui on the Mainland at a cost of 15,000 reminbi for the purpose of obtaining a "90-day visit" visa so that he could look for a job in Hong Kong. On the strength of the visa, he entered Hong Kong three times, falsely declaring to the Immigration officer on each arrival that he was coming to visit his bogus wife.
Chui was subsequently found and admitted that she had entered two bogus marriages for monetary reward - one with You in November, 2004, and then with another Mainland resident in Hong Kong in February, 2006.
In yesterday's (March 8) case, a Mainland resident who entered into bogus marriage was jailed for 12 months.
Liang, Guangshun, 32, pleaded guilty to three counts of making false representation to an Immigration officer. He was arrested during an anti-illegal worker operation and later admitted that he had come to Hong Kong on three occasions on "90-day visit" visas which was obtained on the basis of his marriage to a Hong Kong resident. Liang admitted that he had not met his bogus wife since the marriage and had falsely declared to the Immigration officer on each arrival that he was coming to visit his wife while his purpose was actually for taking up unapproved employment.
An Immigration spokesman said the department had been very concerned about non-Hong Kong residents obtaining the right to stay in Hong Kong by means of bogus marriages. "A special task force has been set up to gather intelligence through various avenues and a thorough investigation will be conducted once evidence comes to light. If there is enough evidence, the department will prosecute the offenders.
"For people who have obtained their residence in Hong Kong by fraudulent means, their Hong Kong identity card and residence status will be declared invalid according to the laws of Hong Kong. They will also be subject to removal back to their place of origin," the spokesman said.
Under the laws of Hong Kong, anyone who commits the offence of conspiracy is liable to prosecution and, upon conviction, the maximum penalty is imprisonment for 14 years.
Anyone who commits the offence of making false declaration for procuring a marriage is liable to prosecution and upon conviction, the maximum penalty is imprisonment for 7 years and to a fine.
It is also an offence to make a false representation to Immigration officers. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction to a maximum fine of $150,000 and imprisonment for 14 years. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalty.
Ends/Friday, March 9, 2007
Issued at HKT 18:51
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