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A Hong Kong resident was today (October 6) jailed for five months for helping a female Mainlander use another person's travel document for arrival clearance in Hong Kong.
The Immigration Department said the 46-year-old defendant, Chu Kim-sing, was charged with one count of aiding and abetting the making of false representation to an Immigration Assistant. He was convicted of the offence and was sentenced at the Sha Tin Magistrates' Court.
An Immigration officer at Lok Ma Chau control point was suspicious about the authenticity of the passport held by a Mainland woman on July 4, 2005. Since the Mainlander was accompanied by the defendant, both were detained for enquiry.
The Mainland woman admitted that she intended to transit Hong Kong on her way to seek employment in Canada. She met Chu at Huanggang after departure clearance and Chu arranged her to board a vehicle travelling to Chek Lap Kok Airport via Lok Ma Chau. The defendant gave her a passport and told her to present it for arrival clearance at Lok Ma Chau. She knew that all the personal particulars in the passport including the photo were not hers.
The Mainland woman was charged with one count of making false representation to an Immigration Assistant. She pleaded guilty to the charge and on July 7 was sentenced to four months' jail.
"Under the laws of Hong Kong, it is an offence to make false representation to an Immigration officer. 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," the spokesman warned.
Ends/Thursday, October 6, 2005
Issued at HKT 16:58
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