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A Mainland man has been jailed over a bogus marriage after appearing in the Sha Tin Magistrates' Court today (December 6).
Luo Miaosheng, 28, pleaded guilty to a charge of making a false representation to an Immigration officer and was sentenced to 12 months' jail.
On November 12, 2006, Luo presented for arrival clearance at Lok Ma Chau control point, saying he was going to visit his resident wife, Lee Tse-ying. With doubt about the purpose of his visit, Luo was detained for further investigation.
Luo admitted under caution that in June, 2006, he had agreed with his clansman to enter into a bogus marriage with a Hong Kong resident at a cost of 30,000 renminbi in order to obtain a "T" exit endorsement to visit Hong Kong. On September 18, 2006, Luo and a Chinese woman, purported to be Lee Tse-ying, contracted a bogus marriage on the Mainland. Luo then made use of the bogus marriage to apply for a "T" endorsement for travelling to Hong Kong.
"The Immigration Department has been very concerned with non-Hong Kong residents obtaining stay in Hong Kong by means of bogus marriage," 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 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, it is 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/Wednesday, December 6, 2006
Issued at HKT 18:23
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