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A Mainland woman, who faked her marriage to a Hong Kong resident, was jailed for two years after appearing in the Sha Tin Magistrates' Court today (March 13).
Huang Shaoyu, 39, was convicted of one count of conspiracy to defraud and two counts of making false representation to an Immigration officer.
On December 19, 2006, Huang presented for departure clearance at Lo Wu control point. She was suspected of a bogus marriage and was detained for further investigation.
Huang admitted she had entered into a bogus marriage with a Hong Kong resident at a cost of $15,000. She intended to make use of the bogus marriage to acquire a "90-day visa" endorsement to seek work in Hong Kong.
Huang made visits to Hong Kong after the "marriage", declaring to the Immigration control officers that she came to visit her resident husband.
"The Immigration Department has been very concerned with non-Hong Kong residents obtaining stay in Hong Kong by means of bogus marriage," 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 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, March 13, 2007
Issued at HKT 18:30
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