WFSFAA and Police jointly combat fraudulent acts by those seeking to obtain Working Family Allowance illegally
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The Working Family Allowance Office of the WFSFAA, when processing WFA applications in April this year, detected suspicious documentary proof relating to employment and income submitted by some applicants. The WFSFAA swiftly reported the incident to the Police and referred the cases suspected of using false documents to the Police for investigation. After a thorough investigation, the Police carried out an operation recently and have arrested a total of six people so far for allegedly defrauding or intending to defraud the WFSFAA. The WFSFAA will continue to render full assistance to the Police in the investigation and recover the overpaid allowances from the relevant persons as appropriate in a timely manner.
The spokesman said that the WFSFAA scrutinises every WFA application in a stringent manner and has established a mechanism to identify and guard against fraud cases. When detecting unlawful acts such as false information, fraudulence or other criminal elements in WFA applications, the WFSFAA will take appropriate follow-up actions, including referring any such suspected cases to the law enforcement agencies. The cases were discovered by the WFSFAA after identifying suspicious applications in the process of vetting applications. The WFSFAA will continue to examine WFA applications in a stringent manner to ensure the proper use of public funds. Members of the public are urged not to defraud the WFSFAA.
The WFA Scheme aims to support low-income working households, which are not receiving Comprehensive Social Security Assistance, by promoting full-time employment and self-reliance, as well as rewarding hard work. Applicants are required to submit documentary proof of working hours, income and assets to the WFSFAA for assessing their eligibility for the WFA. Every applicant for the WFA is required to sign a declaration in the application form to declare that the information provided, and the documentary proof submitted, are true, complete and accurate. The WFSFAA has also clearly stated in the application form that obtaining the WFA by deception is a criminal offence. In addition to being disqualified for the WFA, the applicant may also be prosecuted and liable on conviction to imprisonment for a maximum of 14 years under the Theft Ordinance (Cap 210).
Ends/Thursday, July 24, 2025
Issued at HKT 20:30
Issued at HKT 20:30
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