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A Hong Kong resident and a Mainland resident who were involved in bogus marriages were jailed for 14 months and 12 months respectively after appearing in the Sha Tin Magistrates' Court today (March 19).
Tse Yuk-wah, 22, was convicted of two counts of conspiracy to defraud and her bogus husband, 27-year-old Mainland resident Yang Yu-chun was convicted of one count of conspiracy to defraud and one count of making false representation to an Immigration officer. Both pleaded guilty to the charges.
On January 21, 2007, Yang presented for arrival clearance at Sha Tau Kok control point, claiming that he was coming to visit his resident wife. He was suspected of contracting a bogus marriage and was detained for further investigation.
Yang admitted he had entered into a bogus marriage with Hong Kong resident Tse at a cost of 55,000 reminbi. He intended to make use of the bogus marriage to acquire a "90-day visa" endorsement to seek work in Hong Kong.
Tse later admitted that for monetary reward, she had entered into two bogus marriages on the Mainland - one with Yang in January this year and with another Mainland resident in December, 2006.
"The Immigration Department has been very concerned with non-Hong Kong residents obtaining stay in Hong Kong by means of bogus marriage," a department spokesman said. "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 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.
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/Monday, March 19, 2007
Issued at HKT 19:13
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