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A Mainland man, who entered into a bogus marriage with a Hong Kong resident, was jailed today (October 5) after appearing in the Sha Tin Magistrates' Court.
The 23-year-old Mainlander, Zhao Wei pleaded guilty today to a charge of conspiracy to defraud the Immigration Department. The 25-year-old female Hong Kong resident, Tsui Wing-shan, had previously pleaded guilty to the same charge. Zhao was sentenced to four months' imprisonment while Tsui was remanded in custody pending a Community Service Order and background report before sentencing on October 19.
Zhao was arrested in June during an anti-illegal worker operation for breach of conditions of stay by taking up unapproved employment in Hong Kong. Immigration records revealed that he had married Tsui in August 2004. Investigators decided to look into the case because they doubted the authenticity of the marriage.
Zhao subsequently admitted that in August 2004 he had met a local "marriage fixer", who had offered to arrange a bogus marriage between him and a female Hong Kong resident at a cost of $30,000. As Zhao hoped to enter Hong Kong with an Entry & Exit Permit to look for illegal employment, then gain a One-way China Exit Permit so he could settle in Hong Kong, he agreed to the proposal.
Tsui admitted that a middleman had offered to pay her $10,000 for entering into a bogus marriage with a Mainlander. She accepted the offer with a view to earning quick money. As scheduled, in late August 2004, she married Zhao through an arrangement with the same "marriage fixer". It was agreed that the couple would divorce as soon as Zhao had obtained his one-way permit.
The Immigration Department is investigating the alleged "marriage fixer" and a prosecution will be launched if enough evidence is gathered. A department spokesman said: "We will not allow any person to falsely cause an Immigration Assistant to permit entry to Hong Kong by deception."
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.
Ends/Thursday, October 5, 2006
Issued at HKT 19:21
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