Over 50 arrested for running domestic helper visa scam

The Immigration Department said on Tuesday that they have busted a syndicate that arranged for Filipinos to work in Hong Kong illegally through the use of false foreign domestic helper contracts. 

Over 50 were arrested during the operation, including two core members of the syndicate who are Filipinos, said the department.

They were slapped with charges including conspiracy to defraud and to commit money laundering, making false representation, and illegal transfer of HKID.

The department said the syndicate charged Filipinos who wanted to work in Hong Kong a fee between HK$20,000 to HK$40,000 and used false documents to apply for their foreign domestic helper working visas.

Investigators believed the syndicate has been operational for half a year and handled over HK$1.2 million in suspected crime proceeds.

It was said that the syndicate used housing apartments as a base for their operation to avoid being detected - with false instruments, including originals and copies of forged bank statements and foreign domestic helper contracts seized.
 

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