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Four Mainlanders who entered into bogus marriages with Hong Kong residents were jailed from 12 to 18 months today (December 27) after appearing in the Sha Tin Magistrates' Court.
The first case involved 22-year-old Mainlander Fu Yong-yi who was convicted of four counts of making false representations to an Immigration officer and one count of conspiracy to defraud. His bogus wife, Hong Kong resident Chen Siu Ying was convicted of two counts of conspiracy to defraud. Fu was sentenced to a total of 18 months' imprisonment for all five charges, while Chen was remanded in custody pending a background report before sentencing.
The case was unveiled when Fu arrived in Hong Kong in November claiming to be visiting his resident wife. As the purpose of his visit was in doubt, the couple was investigated. Under caution, both admitted that the marriage they entered into on the Mainland was a bogus one. Fu paid $38,000 for the marriage with a view to obtaining an exit permit, which would allow him entry into Hong Kong for illegal employment, while Chen received $8,000.
The second case involves 25-year-old Mainland woman Wang Xiao-hong. She pleaded guilty to four counts of making false representations to an Immigration officer and was sentenced to a total of 18 months' imprisonment.
Wang was arrested while she was working illegally in Yuen Long. Subsequent investigations revealed that she had entered into a bogus marriage with a Hong Kong resident in October 2005 to get exit endorsements to enter Hong Kong for illegal employment.
The third case concerns 22-year-old Mainlander Su Xiangjian, who paid 30,000 reminbi to marry a Hong Kong resident on the Mainland in September 2006 in order to obtain an exit endorsement, which allowed him to stay longer in Hong Kong to work illegally. He had never met his bogus wife after the marriage. Su pleaded guilty to two counts of making false representation to an Immigration officer and was sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment on each charge. The sentences will run concurrently.
The last case concerns Mainland woman Chen Yanxiang. Chen, aged 42, was intercepted at Lo Wu control point earlier this month, claiming to be visiting her resident husband. She later admitted under caution that she had agreed with a middleman to enter into a bogus marriage with a Hong Kong resident at a cost of 25,000 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. She was charged with one count of conspiracy to defraud and sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment.
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/Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Issued at HKT 20:41
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