Five arrested at Wan Chai Immigration Tower for using fake LeaveHomeSafe

Five individuals including immigration staffers were arrested at the Wan Chai Immigration Tower on Monday morning for using a fake LeaveHomeSafe app.

Police said the five - four men and one woman, were arrested for using a false instrument after staffers of the Immigration Tower reported the case to the force at around 9am.

It was understood that the five include a government auditor from the Audit Commission, an Immigration Officer and an Immigration Assistant from the Immigration Department, and two government contractors.

The fake app, called “Back Home Safe”, has an almost identical design as the government’s LeaveHomeSafe app. It works like the real LeaveHomeSafe app allowing users to scan the QR codes, or input the name of the premises by themselves.

Authorities have enforced the mandatory use of the LeaveHomeSafe app for entry into government buildings and wet markets starting Monday.

All visitors to government buildings and offices – ranging from hospitals, wet markets, courts, public schools, libraries, sports grounds to police stations – must use the LeaveHomeSafe app instead of jotting down their details on paper. 

Those aged under 12 or over 65, as well as disabled people who have difficulties in using the app, will be exempted from the requirement.

Under the laws of Hong Kong, it is an offence to make, possess or use false instruments. Upon conviction, offenders are liable to a maximum penalty of 14 years' imprisonment.

A HK$5,000 fixed penalty ticket will also be dished out to those who did not use the LeaveHomeSafe app as required under the city’s Covid rules.