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Two Mainland residents involved in using a false People's Republic of China (PRC) passport for their trip to Korea were jailed by the District Court today (July 14).
The two male defendants were Piao Zongzhu, 29, and Jin Wuxi, 47.
Piao was charged with one count of using a false travel document and one count of making a false representation to an Immigration Assistant. He pleaded guilty to both charges and was jailed for 16 months on each charge, sentences to run concurrently.
Jin was charged with one count of aiding and abetting the use of a false travel document, one count of aiding and abetting the use of a false instrument and one count of aiding and abetting the making of a false representation to an Immigration Assistant. He pleaded guilty to all charges and was jailed for two years on each charge, sentences to run concurrently.
In April, 2006, Immigration investigators at Lo Wu control point intercepted the two defendants while they were queuing for arrival clearance. Jin mistakenly took out Piao's PRC passport for inspection, while Piao produced a PRC passport in the name of Piao Shenyi. Immigration investigators were alerted and they suspected that the passport produced by Piao to be false and it also bore a suspected false PRC exit stamp, so the two were detained for enquiries.
Jin admitted that he had been asked by his friend to bring Piao to Korea via Hong Kong using the false PRC passport. He would be given monetary reward and a free air ticket from Beijing to Shenzhen. In early April, he accompanied Piao to Hong Kong. After departure clearance on the Mainland, Jin gave the false passport with the fake PRC exit stamp to Piao.
Under the laws of Hong Kong, anyone who uses a false travel document commits an offence. Offenders are liable to prosecution and, upon conviction, face a maximum penalty of a fine of $150,000 and imprisonment for 14 years. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalty.
It is also an offence to make a false representation to an Immigration Service member. 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 instrument commits an offence and is liable, on conviction, to imprisonment for 14 years. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalty.
Ends/Friday, July 14, 2006
Issued at HKT 20:25
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