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Bogus marriage syndicate smashed by Immigration Department
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     The Immigration Department has smashed a syndicate arranging cross-boundary bogus marriages in an operation code-named "Flashspear", conducted on December 20 and 21.

     The Assistant Director (Enforcement and Torture Claim Assessment), Mr Leung Kwok-hung, said at a press conference today (December 21) that the Immigration Department has been very concerned about non-Hong Kong residents obtaining residency by means of contracting bogus marriages with Hong Kong residents.  After months of in-depth investigation and intelligence analysis, a syndicate was identified to have arranged for Hong Kong residents to contract bogus marriages with Mainlanders so as to enable the bogus spouses to apply for "Tanqin" exit endorsements to visit Hong Kong, and eventually apply for a One-way Permit for settlement in Hong Kong. The syndicate placed advertisements in the newspapers to lure Hong Kong residents to enter into bogus marriages with Mainlanders.

     "During the operation, 57 immigration investigators raided 63 targeted locations and arrested 17 males and two females, aged from 23 to 65. All were Hong Kong residents and two of them were the syndicate's masterminds. They are suspected to have committed the offences of conspiracy to defraud and aiding and abetting others in making false representation to immigration officers," added Mr Leung.

     In the premises of the two masterminds, investigators seized computers, a number of suspect Hong Kong Identity Cards (HKICs), Home Visit Permit copies, notebooks and advertisement receipts, as well as some original HKICs, Home Visit Permits and HK birth certificates, involving more than 70 Hong Kong residents. Preliminary investigation indicated that the syndicate has arranged about 180 bogus marriages since it started operating at the end of 2010. The syndicate charged Mainland residents up to HK$40,000 for each arranged marriage and the amount of money involved was about $7.2 million. Enquiries are continuing and more arrests may be made.  

     "The Immigration Department will continue to spare no effort in combating bogus marriages and other related illicit activities. For people who have obtained their residence in Hong Kong by fraudulent means, their HKIC and residence status will be invalidated according to the laws of Hong Kong. They will also be subject to removal back to their place of origin," Mr Leung said.

     In addition, the Marriage Registries have stepped up checking any suspected cases since July this year. Meanwhile, the Investigation Sub-division of the Immigration Department has also initiated investigation into any suspected bogus marriages. Since the new measures were put in place, 19 suspect cases in which the parties concerned withdrew from the application for marriage registration in Hong Kong of their own accord have been identified. Furthermore, five other persons were convicted of the offences of conspiracy to defraud and making false declaration. They were sentenced to between four and 14 months' imprisonment.

     Under the laws Hong Kong, it is an offence to make false representation to Immigration Officers. Offenders are liable to prosecution and to a maximum fine of $150,000 and imprisonment for 14 years. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and the same penalties.

     Any person who for the purpose of procuring a marriage, or a certificate or license for marriage, knowingly and willfully makes a false oath or makes or signs a false declaration shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable to, upon conviction, imprisonment for seven years and a fine.

     Anyone who commits the offence of conspiracy to defraud is liable to prosecution and, upon conviction, the maximum penalty is imprisonment for 14 years.

Ends/Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Issued at HKT 19:33

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