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A Mainland woman, who entered into a bogus marriage with a Hong Kong man, was jailed today (January 11) after appearing in the Sha Tin Magistrates' Court.
The 45-year-old female defendant, Liang Xiumei, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud and one count of making of false representation to an Immigration officer. She was given an effective sentence of 15 months.
Liang's bogus husband, 49-year-old Hong Kong resident, Hung Fai-wo, pleaded guilty last month (December 2006) to a charge of conspiracy to defraud and was jailed for 12 months.
On November 21, 2006, Liang arrived at Lo Wu control point 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. With doubts about the purpose of Liang's visit, she was detained for further investigation.
Liang admitted that she had agreed with a middleman to enter into a bogus marriage with Hung on the Mainland in May 2006. She intended to make use of the bogus marriage to acquire "90-day visa" endorsements to stay longer in Hong Kong and eventually acquire a One-way Permit.
Hung admitted that he had entered into bogus marriage with Liang on the Mainland for monetary rewards.
"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/Thursday, January 11, 2007
Issued at HKT 15:07
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