Immigration Department combats sham marriages

The Immigration Department deployed an officer in disguise to meet sham marriage organizing agents. The operation was known as “Snare 1205”. Five suspects were arrested on 6 December 2017, including the organization’s group leader, 3 members and a women from Mainland China who was suspected of participating in a sham marriage.

The suspects were aged between 26 and 54, four of whom were Hong Kong residents. Upon further investigation, the Immigration’s staff seized the related documents and mobile phones at the suspects’ premises. More people might have been involved and may be arrested later on.

Cases of non-Hong Kong residents and Hong Kong residents entering into a sham marriage have always been under the scrutiny of the Immigration Department. Such illegal organizations or agents will advertise through different social platforms with the aim to lure people to join their illegal activities.

According to the current laws in Hong Kong:
1. Anyone who provides false information to Immigration officers is guilty of an offence with a maximum penalty of HK$150,000 and 14 years imprisonment.
2. It is also an offence to knowingly and willfully make a false oath or declaration for the purpose of procuring a marriage. The maximum penalty for the offence is up to 7 years imprisonment and a fine.
3. Anyone who participates in a conspiracy to defraud is also liable for an offence with a maximum imprisonment of 14 years.

Source: http://www.immd.gov.hk/hkt/press/press-releases/20171208b.html

“The Inauguration of the Qianhai One Belt One Road Legal Services Federation” was successfully held on 9 January 2018 at Vanke (Qianhai) International Convention Center. The event was led by Bureau of Justice of Shenzhen Municipality, Authority of Qianhai Shenzhen-Hongkong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone of Shenzhen and China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, Shenzhen Council. Stevenson, Wong & Co. Partner Mr. Eric Lui was invited to attend this event and Partner Mr. Stephen Wong and Associate Ms. Ann Chan were also present.

Ms. Ann Chan and Mr. Stephen Wong

The event attracted more than three hundred distinguished guests at the inauguration which included the Deputy Secretary-General of the NPCSC and Chairman of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Basic Law Committee under the NPCSC, Mr Li Fei; the Deputy Director of Legal Department, Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr. Xi Jun Jian; the Deputy Observer of Department of Justice, Guangdong, Mr. Chen Rong Guang; Department Head of Legal Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government, Mr. Wang Zhen Min; the Deputy Solicitor General, Mr. Peter Wong; the deputy party secretaries of Shenzhen Municipal Committee, Party Secretaries of Politics and Law Committee Mr. Li Hua Nan; Secretary for Bureau of Justice of Shenzhen Municipality Mr. Jiang Xi Lin; Director of Shenzhen China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, Mr. Ye Jian De; Secretary for the Authority of Qianhai, Mr. Du Peng; and representatives from reputable legal institutions in China.

The Federation is the first international legal platform led by Chinese lawyers. It aims to provide legal services to Chinese enterprises who wish to invest in countries alongside the OBOR. Our Partner Mr. Eric Lui is pleased to be member of the Qianhai One Belt One Road Legal Services Federation. He believes that the Federation can provide international legal services to enterprises with the support from various parties.

In 2016 Stevenson, Wong & Co., one of the leading law firms in Hong Kong, established an OBOR Legal Service Centre with the vision to provide Hong Kong and Chinese enterprises who wish to invest in Southeast Asia countries alongside the OBOR with comprehensive and efficient legal services. Headed by the firm’s senior partners, the OBOR Legal Service Centre consists of lawyers who have rich experience in Banking & Finance, Corporate Finance, China Practice, FDI and Dispute Resolution. In addition, the Service Centre aims to cooperate with six leading law firms in their respective regions in Southeast Asia.

Please contact Mr. Stephen Wong or Mr. Eric Lui for any enquiries or further information about this event.