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A female Mainlander and a Hong Kong resident have been jailed over a bogus marriage after appearing in the Sha Tin Magistrates' Court today (November 30).
The 33-year-old Mainlander, Xiong Shunzhen, was charged with one count of conspiracy to defraud, two counts of making a false representation to an Immigration officer and one count of using a false travel document. She pleaded guilty to all the four charges and was sentenced to an effective term of 12 months.
The 27-year-old male defendant, Tsang Wing-sum, pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to defraud and was sentenced to an effective jail term of 18 months.
On November 6, 2006, Xiong presented for arrival clearance on the strength of a Mainland Entry and Exit Permit showing her date of birth as February 15, 1974. She declared to the Immigration control officer that she was going to visit her resident husband Tsang. As the purpose of her visit was in doubt, she was detained for further investigation.
She admitted under caution that she was actually born on September 20, 1973. She was aware that the date of birth was not correct when she acquired her travel document. She further admitted that due to poverty, she had agreed with a middleman to enter into a bogus marriage with a Hong Kong resident at a cost of 25,000 renminbi. On March 24, 2006, Xiong and Tsang registered their marriage in Jiangxi Province. Xiong intended to make use of the bogus marriage to acquire a "90-day visa" endorsement each time she entered Hong Kong to seek work.
Tsang admitted that he had entered into two bogus marriages. In February, 2006, his friend offered him money to enter into a bogus marriage with Xiong. Tsang also entered into a bogus marriage with another Mainlander for a monetary reward in June, 2006, and the marriage was registered in Hong Kong.
"The department has been very concerned with non-Hong Kong residents obtaining the right to stay in Hong Kong by means of bogus marriages," 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 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.
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.
Moreover, anyone who uses a false travel document commits an offence. Offenders are liable to prosecution and, upon conviction, a maximum penalty of a fine of $150,000 and 14 years' imprisonment.
Ends/Thursday, November 30, 2006
Issued at HKT 20:52
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