Magistrate questions absences in talent visa fraud hearing

In a case heard at Shatin Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, two mainland Chinese men faced charges for allegedly providing false information to secure visas under the Top Talent Pass Scheme between 2023 and 2024.

The men are accused of misrepresenting their qualifications, claiming to hold degrees from Monash University in Australia or an annual income exceeding HK$2.5 million. 

Both defendants were absent from the hearing, citing medical reasons, prompting the court to postpone the case until October 30 to allow prosecutors to seek further legal advice.

The defense submitted medical documents to explain the absences, indicating that one defendant had injured his hip in a fall, while the other provided a medical certificate lacking specific details about his condition. 

The acting chief magistrate expressed skepticism about the validity of these excuses, noting that the first defendant should be mobile after surgery and questioning the lack of clarity in the second defendant’s medical certificate. 

The magistrate warned that failure to attend future hearings without valid reasons could lead to arrest warrants and forfeiture of bail.