During a mega event held on February 7 and 8, Hong Kong Customs (Customs) conducted a joint enforcement operation with the Immigration Department (ImmD) and the Hong Kong Police Force (Police) to combat the sale of infringing goods by mobile hawkers, illegal worker and concert ticket scalping activities in the vicinity of the AsiaWorld-Expo.
      
     During the operation, the enforcement officers conducted test-buy operations and suspected that five mobile hawkers were visitors taking up employment or establishing or joining in business in Hong Kong. The five mobile hawkers were subsequently arrested by immigration officers on suspicion of being illegal workers. The arrested illegal workers were five women, aged 20 to 40.
      
     Customs, the ImmD and the Police will continue to step up high-profile patrol and enforcement to resolutely combat different kinds of illegal activities in the vicinity of the event venues during mega events.

     Customs reminds consumers to purchase goods at reputable shops and to check with the trademark owners or their authorised agents if the authenticity of a product is in doubt. Traders should be cautious and prudent in merchandising since the sale of counterfeit goods is a serious crime and offenders are liable to criminal sanctions. Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who sells or possesses for sale any goods with a forged trademark commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.
      
     Under the Copyright Ordinance, any person who sells or possesses for sale any infringing goods commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $50,000 per infringing copy and imprisonment for four years. Members of the public may report any suspected counterfeiting activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

     Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him or her shall be guilty of an offence. Also, visitors are not allowed to take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, or establish or join in any business without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years' imprisonment. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties. For reporting illegal employment activities, please call the dedicated hotline 3861 5000, fax at 2824 1166, email anti_crime@immd.gov.hk, or submit the "Online Reporting of Immigration Offences" form at www.immd.gov.hk.

Ends/Sunday, February 8, 2026
Issued at HKT 22:00

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