Lying when entering or leaving Hong Kong! A mainland passenger sentenced to 9 months imprisonment by the court | Sha Tin | passenger
On August 4th, a mainland tourist was convicted of two counts of making false statements to immigration officials and sentenced to nine months in prison at the Sha Tin Magistrates Court of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government.
A mainland tourist lying when entering Hong Kong
Accused of making false appeals to immigration officials
The 52 year old male defendant arrived in Hong Kong at the Lo Wu Control Station on August 2 this year and falsely claimed to the immigration department that he would be passing through Hong Kong to Bangkok, Thailand. He also presented his People's Republic of China passport and an electronic ticket indicating that he would leave Hong Kong the next day. He was later allowed to enter as a visitor.
On the same day, the defendant intended to leave for Macau through the Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal Control Station, but was intercepted by immigration personnel. He once again falsely claimed that he would first go to Macau and then return to Hong Kong the next day by plane to Thailand.
After further investigation, the defendant admitted that the true purpose of coming to Hong Kong was only to travel to Macau, not to transit to Thailand or come to Hong Kong for tourism.
The defendant was charged with two counts of making false statements to immigration personnel at the Sha Tin Magistrates Court on the 4th. He admitted to the charges and was sentenced to 8 months in prison for each charge, with some of the sentences being executed in installments, resulting in a total of 9 months in prison.
A spokesperson for the Immigration Department of the SAR Government warns:
"According to current Hong Kong laws, any person who makes false statements to immigration officers is considered illegal. Violators will be prosecuted and, upon conviction, may face a maximum fine of HKD 150000 and imprisonment for 14 years."