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A Mainland visitor and a Hong Kong resident were jailed on January 28 by Sha Tin Magistrates' Court for using a false travel document, making false representation and related offences.
The female Mainland visitor, Xu Xiufang, 26, and the male Hong Kong resident, Chong Fuk Lung, 43, arrived in Hong Kong together on August 31 last year via the Lok Ma Chau Spur-line Control Point. Xu presented a People's Republic of China (PRC) passport and claimed that she was travelling in transit to Cambodia. It was later found that her real purpose was to give birth in Hong Kong and the PRC passport she presented did not bear her true date of birth. Investigations revealed that Xu had previously travelled to Hong Kong on September 6, 2005, and June 19, 2009, by assuming an identity with a false date of birth upon arrival clearance. For the visits on June 19 and again on August 31, she had used a false Chinese Permit and PRC passport respectively with a view to seeking entry into Hong Kong but was refused permission to land. She was charged with four counts of making false representation and two charges of using a false travel document. She pleaded guilty and was jailed for 15 months.
Investigations revealed that Chong had assisted Xu, who was his girlfriend, to make false representation by pretending to be her husband when questioned by an Immigration Officer over the phone. On another occasion, Chong misled the immigration officer by saying that her "husband" was another Hong Kong resident. He was charged with aiding and abetting Xu to make false representation and with misleading an immigration officer. He pleaded guilty and was jailed for nine months.
"Under the laws of Hong Kong, it is an offence to make false representation to immigration officers or use a false travel document. 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 penalty. It is also an offence to mislead immigration officers by giving false information or by making false statements. Offenders are liable to prosecution and face a maximum fine of $10,000 and six months' imprisonment," an Immigration Department spokesman warned.
Ends/Monday, February 1, 2010
Issued at HKT 17:55
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