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The Immigration Department, had successfully caught and prosecuted a Hong Kong resident who tried to use a forged identity card at an e-channel for departure clearance, a department spokesman said today (October 12).
Wong Tam-po, 48, pleaded guilty at the Sha Tin Magistrates' Court to two counts of possessing a forged identity card and two counts of possessing a false instrument. He was jailed today for an effective term of 15 months.
On October 7, at an e-channel at Lo Wu control point, Wong unsuccessfully tried to use the forged Hong Kong identity card bearing the name of "Wong Siu Fung". He was subsequently arrested by an Immigration officer and in a subsequent search, a forged Hong Kong identity card bearing the name of Wong, but with different date of birth, was found. Two Home Visit Permits bearing the name of Wong and Wong Siu-Fung were also found.
The defendant admitted that he had paid RMB1,600 for the four forged items. Forensic examination confirmed that all cards were counterfeits.
"The apprehension of the defendant has confirmed that the security systems of the smart identity card and e-channel are reliable," the spokesman said. "Any forged document will be detected."
Under the laws of Hong Kong, anyone who, without lawful authority of reasonable excuse, possess a forged identity card are liable to prosecution and, upon conviction, the maximum penalty will be a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for 10 years.
It is also an offence to possess a false instrument and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for three years' imprisonment.
Ends/Thursday, October 12, 2006
Issued at HKT 18:51
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