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During an operation conducted against a foreign domestic helper employment agency in Mong Kok on Monday (August 22), the Immigration Department cracked down a syndicate of using forged documents to apply for entry visas for foreign domestic helpers, a spokesman for the department said today (August 24).
During the operation, officers apprehended a 30-year-old Hong Kong Permanent Resident who was the licensee of the agency, and a 50-year-old foreign domestic helper, who was the main staff of the employment agency. Immigration officers seized five computers and a large number of forged documents used for domestic helper visa applications which include copies of forged demanding notice for Salaries Tax, original or copies of forged electricity bills and forged water bills.
Since May 2011, Immigration Department spotted that the demanding notices for Salaries Tax, which were enclosed at the Foreign Domestic Helper visa applications, were suspicious and they were found belonging to the same employment agency. Investigation upon the concerned employment agency was then started. Among the 35 problematic applications, most of the applications had been refused or withheld by Immigration Department. Investigation in the case is ongoing and it is expected that more suspects will be apprehended.
According to the spokesman, it is an offence to make false representation to Immigration officers. Offenders are liable to prosecution and to a maximum fine of $150,000 and imprisonment for 14 years. Aiders and abettors of breach of condition of stay are also liable to prosecution and upon conviction, to a maximum fine of $50,000 and two years' imprisonment.
The spokesman also stressed that anyone who uses or in possession of forged instrument commits an offence. Offenders are liable to prosecution and, upon conviction, the maximum penalty is 14 years' imprisonment.
The Immigration Department warned that foreign domestic helpers are allowed to take up domestic duties only for their contractual employers. They should only take such employment and reside at the contractual address as stipulated in their contract, as approved by the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000 and two years' jail.
Ends/Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Issued at HKT 21:02
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