HONG KONG: The Immigration Department announced yesterday it has smashed a syndicate that is believed to have arranged about 500 bogus marriages over the past 3 years that profited by some HK$5 million.

Six suspected core members of the gang, all of whom are locals, have been arrested. Three were picked up yesterday morning. The group's mastermind, however, remains at large, said Sham Kin-fai, the principal immigration officer (enforcement).

"Mainlanders tying the knots with Hong Kong people in fake marriages aim to get permits to stay in the city for a longer time for work. Their ultimate goal is to obtain one-way permits (for settling here)," said Sham.

He said officers had raided 17 location yesterday, including the gang's alleged base in Sham Shui Po.

Evidence such as notebooks, documents and two computers with records of bogus wedding transactions were seized.

Sham said 26 others have been held on suspicion of taking part in the scheme. Five of the 26 were arrested yesterday, including three who were also sought for the alleged sale of their Hong Kong passports to the syndicate.

The investigation is continuing and no charges have been laid , Sham said.

The department suspects that about 500 bogus wedding ceremonies have taken place since 2006 as a means for mainlanders to avoid immigration controls.

Under present regulation mainlanders holding travel permits generally are permitted to stay in Hong Kong for seven days per visit.

Sham said the gang had placed advertisements in local newspapers, claiming the group could refer marriage partners while at the same time offering ways for some people to make fast money.

The investigation revealed that Hong Kong brides or grooms are offered between HK$5,000 and HK$17,000 for each marriage and "marriage fixers" charge each mainland man HK$25,000 and each mainland woman HK$35,000 for a fake wedding.

Sham warned that Hong Kong people involved in fake weddings generally are not paid the full amount promised by the gang.

It may also be a headache for them to reach an agreement about the division of property and financial support for each other when they want to divorce, he said.

Sham warned that people taking part in bogus weddings could be charged with conspiracy, which carries a penalty of up to 14 years in jail.

He said it is difficult to prove bogus marriages and that officers, while gathering evidence, will try to determine whether a couple has traveled or otherwise spent time together.

Sham said those who sold their Hong Kong passports to the gang earned about HK$800 to HK$2,000 each.

He said the syndicate bought the passports for use in the commission of other crimes.

Under Hong Kong law, it is illegal to transfer any travel document to someone without reasonable cause. Violators may be fined up to HK$150,000 and jailed up to 14 years upon conviction.

In the first eight months, 370 people were arrested for taking part in bogus marriages, 257 fewer than the same period last year, the department said.

A department spokeswoman said the decline in numbers is an indication that the department's operations have caused a deterrent effect.

China Daily

(HK Edition 09/18/2009 page1)