ImmD busts mainland photographers and makeup artists in undercover sting

The Immigration Department (ImmD) arrested five mainland Chinese photographers and makeup artists for allegedly working illegally in the city, following an undercover operation targeting their low-cost services advertised on the social media platform Xiaohongshu, authorities announced on October 24.

The Immigration Department’s special task force conducted a series of enforcement actions from October 20 to 23, apprehending three men and two women, aged 20 to 29, who entered Hong Kong as visitors but were suspected of providing unauthorized photography and makeup services. 

The spokesman of the task force revealed that the department had noticed mainland photographers and makeup artists promoting their services on popular social media platforms, offering a range of photography and makeup packages at budget-friendly prices to attract Hong Kong customers. 

The services, priced between HK$200 and HK$2,800, included wedding photography and Halloween-themed makeup and photography sessions.

Following intelligence analysis, the Immigration Department identified the suspects and launched an undercover operation, posing as customers on Xiaohongshu to book their services. 

Officers arrested the five individuals when they arrived in Hong Kong to provide the advertised services. 

The operation led to the seizure of photography equipment and mobile phones used by the suspects.

The arrested individuals belonged to two distinct groups. One team offered street-based wedding photography, charging approximately HK$200 to HK$300 per session for photography and around HK$200 for makeup services. 

The other team provided Halloween-themed makeup and follow-along photography at theme parks, with makeup artists charging about HK$270 (~ 250 yuan) and photographers charging up to HK$2,800 (~ 2,600 yuan) per session. 

Investigations revealed that the suspects used Xiaohongshu to advertise their services, with some makeup artists claiming they could accompany clients to theme parks or provide makeup for fan groups supporting singers.

During the sting operation, some suspects declined bookings, citing strict enforcement by Hong Kong authorities, which Chan noted as evidence of the effectiveness of the department’s proactive measures and publicity efforts.