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A Mainland woman, who entered into a bogus marriage with a Hong Kong resident, was jailed today (December 14) after appearing in the Sha Tin Magistrates' Court.
The 26-year-old Mainlander, Li Fengling, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud and one count of making a false representation to an Immigration officer. She was sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment on each charge, sentences to run concurrently.
On August 28, Li arrived in Hong Kong with a Mainland Entry and Exit Permit with a "90-day visa" endorsement and declared to the Immigration control officer that she was going to visit her resident husband, Tsang Wing-sum. As the purpose of her visit was in doubt, she was detained for further investigations.
Li admitted under caution that she had agreed with a middleman in June to enter into a bogus marriage with a Hong Kong resident at a cost of 30,000 renminbi. She intended to make use of the bogus marriage to acquire a "90-day visa" endorsement to seek work in Hong Kong and subsequently to acquire the right of abode here. Li entered into a bogus marriage with Tsang in Hong Kong in July.
Immigration investigators intercepted Tsang for investigation. He admitted that he had entered into two bogus marriages for monetary reward. The first bogus marriage was with a Mainland woman, Xiong Shunzhen, in Jiangxi Province in March and the second one was registered with Li in Hong Kong.
Tsang and Xiong were earlier sentenced to 12 months' and 18 months' imprisonment respectively for their bogus marriage.
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.
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/Thursday, December 14, 2006
Issued at HKT 15:53
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