Hong Kong resident jailed for conspiracy to defraud
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).
The Shatin Magistrates' Courts, the Shatin Law Courts Building
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 Immigration Department, Photo source: FB
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.
Remarks by SLW at media session (with photos/video)
The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, met the media today (April 3), after observing the implementation of the "$2 flat rate or 80 per cent discount" on the first day at Tiu Keng Leng Station Public Transport Interchange. Following are Mr Sun's remarks at the media session:
Reporter: How do you evaluate the first-day roll-out of the scheme, and how do you address the fact that some elderly are not comprehensively understanding the whole implementation?
Secretary for Labour and Welfare: Today, 3rd of April, is the date when the "$2 flat rate or 80 per cent discount" is officially launched. For minibuses and for buses, the launch time was midnight today. For the MTR, it started from its first train which departed the terminal at 5.30am this morning.
So far, based on our territory-wide promotion, and also my own personal contact with the elderly through my visit to Wong Tai Sin including a public market and a restaurant, most of them are familiar with the operation of the "$2 flat rate or 80 per cent discount". They know the operation is very straightforward, for any fare that is at $10 or below, they still just need to pay $2. For fare that is over $10, the elderly just bare 20 per cent of the cost, and the rest of the fare will be borne by the Government. I gave them an example, for a bus fare that charges an adult for $15, the elderly people with JoyYou card would only have to pay $3, i.e. 20 per cent of the fare.
So, apart from today, we are also going to step up our promotion through television, radio and posters which have been posted all around Hong Kong. Also, as you can see, in 75 spots in Hong Kong, we are stationing the ambassadors for a total of three weeks. They are in the spots to help answer questions about the "$2 flat rate or 80 per cent discount". Apart from that, we have had the support of district councillors, Care Team members, and also staff of our welfare NGOs (non-governmental organisations). They are using their own ways to explain the operation of the "$2 flat rate or 80 per cent discount". We are pretty confident that the scheme is now being launched smoothly, and for those who will be using the new arrangement, they know about the operation.
Thank you very much.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the remarks.)
Remarks by SLW at media session (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Remarks by SLW at media session (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Remarks by SLW at media session (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Remarks by SLW at media session (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Remarks by SLW at media session (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Remarks by SLW at media session (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Remarks by SLW at media session (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Remarks by SLW at media session (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Remarks by SLW at media session (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Remarks by SLW at media session (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
