A Hong Kong male resident charged with one count of conspiracy to defraud was convicted and sentenced to 11 months and 10 days' imprisonment by Shatin Magistrates' Courts yesterday (January 22).

     During the follow-up investigation on a case of a bogus marriage by the Outside Investigation Section of the Immigration Department (ImmD), the 48-year-old defendant was found to have contracted marriage with one Mainland resident in 2008. Since the marital relationship between the defendant and the Mainland resident was in doubt, an investigation was conducted against him.

     The defendant under caution admitted that under the arrangement of a middleman, he was paid $5,000 as monetary reward to contract a bogus marriage on the Mainland with the Mainland resident for assisting her to obtain an endorsement for visit and residence status in Hong Kong.

     The defendant was recently charged by the ImmD. He pleaded guilty to the charge of conspiracy to defraud yesterday. The Mainland resident in the case was convicted of conspiracy to defraud and sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment in 2011. The investigation of other suspects is still underway, and the ImmD does not rule out the possibility of further arrests.

     "The ImmD has been very concerned about non-Hong Kong residents staying in Hong Kong by means of a marriage of convenience, and will continue to spare no effort in combating the related illicit activities. For people who have obtained their residence in Hong Kong by fraudulent means, their Hong Kong identity card and residence status will be invalidated according to the laws of Hong Kong. They will also be subject to removal back to their place of origin," the ImmD spokesman stressed.

     "According to the Immigration Ordinance, any person who makes any statement or representation which he knows to be false or does not believe to be true to immigration officers commits an offence. Offenders are liable to prosecution and, upon conviction, face a maximum fine of $150,000 and imprisonment for 14 years. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and the same penalties. Moreover, according to the Crimes Ordinance, anyone who commits the offence of conspiracy to defraud is liable to prosecution and, upon conviction, the maximum penalty is imprisonment for 14 years," the ImmD spokesman warned.

Ends/Friday, January 23, 2026
Issued at HKT 16:30

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