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A Hong Kong man and a Mainland woman have been jailed over a bogus marriage after appearing in the Sha Tin Magistrates' Court today (January 9).
The 39-year-old male defendant, Wong Tak-hing, pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to defraud and one count of aiding and abetting the making of false representation to an Immigration officer. He was given an effective sentence of 18 months.
Wong's bogus wife, 37-year-old Mainlander, Zheng Jiying, was charged with one count of conspiracy to defraud and two counts of making a false representation to an Immigration officer. She pleaded guilty to all charges and was sentenced to an effective jail term of 18 months.
On November 21, 2006, Zheng arrived in Hong Kong with a Mainland Entry and Exit Permit bearing a "90-day visa" endorsement and declared to the Immigration control officer that she was going to visit her resident husband Wong. An Immigration officer also phoned Wong on the same day. Wong falsely declared that he was Zheng's husband and he knew she would come to Hong Kong to visit him. As the purpose of Zheng's visit was in doubt, she was detained for further investigation.
Zheng admitted that she had agreed with a middleman to enter into a bogus marriage with a Hong Kong resident. She intended to make use of the bogus marriage to acquire "90-day visa" endorsements to stay longer in Hong Kong and to subsequently acquire the one-way permit for settlement here. On August 21, 2006, Zheng and Wong registered their marriage on the Mainland.
After the bogus marriage, Zheng successfully acquired a "90-day visa" endorsement and she came to Hong Kong on October 17 and November 21. Both times she falsely represented to the Immigration control officers that she came to visit Wong.
Wong admitted that he had entered into two bogus marriages for monetary reward, one of which was contracted with Zheng.
"The department has been very concerned with non-Hong Kong residents obtaining the right to stay in Hong Kong by means of bogus marriages," 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 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/Tuesday, January 9, 2007
Issued at HKT 17:53
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