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The Immigration Department's Face Recognition System (FACES) identified a Mainland visitor who attempted to gain entry at Lo Wu control point using a false document, the department said today (November 6).
The male defendant, Wang Desheng, 48, pleaded guilty at the Sha Tin Magistrates' Court today to one count of using a false travel document and one count of making a false representation to an immigration assistant during arrival clearance. He was sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment on each charge, the sentences to run concurrently.
On November 3, 2006, Wang presented his Mainland Exit-entry Permit in the name of Lin Yushu for arrival clearance at Lo Wu control point. But in a records check with FACES, his facial appearance hit a previous record under another identity - Wang Desheng. During a body and luggage search, a Mainland identity card and a driving licence bearing the name of Wang Desheng were found.
Wang admitted that he was properly known as Wang Desheng. He entered Hong Kong in 2002 and was repatriated to the Mainland in 2003 after he had served a 14-month jail term for attempting to obtain property by deception and resisting a police officer. On November 3 he used the false travel document in a bid to enter Hong Kong to look for work.
FACES was implemented in December, 2004 and as at November 5, 2006, more than 550 double identity cases have successfully been detected by the system. The Immigration Department has appealed to visitors not to take the risk of using a false identity to enter Hong Kong given the effectiveness of FACES.
Under the laws of Hong Kong, any person who uses a false travel document commits an offence. It is also an offence to make a false representation to an Immigration officer. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction, the maximum penalty will be a fine of $150,000 and imprisonment for 14 years.
Ends/Monday, November 6, 2006
Issued at HKT 19:22
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