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Three Mainland women involved in bogus marriages were given jail sentences ranging from 12 to 16 months after appearing in Sha Tin Magistrates' Court today (March 14).
In the first case, Mainland woman Zheng Shaoqun, 36, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud and two counts of making false representation to an Immigration officer and was given an effective sentence of 16 months.
Zheng was intercepted upon her departure at Lo Wu control point on February 25, 2007. She admitted that she had agreed with a middleman to enter into a bogus marriage with a Hong Kong resident at a cost of $20,000. She intended to make use of the bogus marriage to acquire a "90-day visa" endorsement to seek work in Hong Kong. Zheng made visits to Hong Kong after the "marriage", declaring to the Immigration control officers that she came to visit her resident husband.
Another Mainland resident Chu Shaoli, 36, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud and two counts of making false representation to an Immigration officer. She was sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment on each charge, sentences to run concurrently. A suspended sentence of 21 days' jail from a previous overstaying offence was added to the 12 months, making a total of 12 months and 21 days' jail.
Chu arrived in Hong Kong on January 27 and declared to the Immigration control officer that she was going to visit her resident husband. She was detained for further investigation as she was suspected of a bogus marriage. Chu admitted that she had entered into a bogus marriage with a Hong Kong resident at a cost of $20,000 so that she could acquire a "90-day visa" endorsement for taking up illegal employment in Hong Kong. Chu made visits to Hong Kong after the "marriage", declaring to the Immigration control officers that she came to visit her resident husband.
In the third case, Mainland resident Zheng Seying, 44, who pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud and one count of making a false representation to an Immigration officer, was jailed for 12 months.
On February 18, 2007, Zheng presented for departure clearance at Lo Wu control point. She was suspected of a bogus marriage and was detained for further investigation. She admitted she had entered into a bogus marriage with a Hong Kong resident for the purpose of obtaining a "90-day visa" endorsement for taking up illegal employment in Hong Kong. Zheng made a visit to Hong Kong in last November, declaring to the Immigration control officer that she came to visit her resident husband.
An Immigration spokesman said the department had been very concerned about non-Hong Kong residents obtaining the right to stay in Hong Kong by means of bogus marriages. "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/Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Issued at HKT 18:58
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