The Immigration Department has dismantled a cross-border bogus marriage syndicate with the Guangdong Provincial Public Security Department, arresting 37 individuals.
Tang Wai-yip, Chief Immigration Officer (Outside Investigation), reported that during the operation on Monday, ImmD searched two residential units and apprehended one man and one woman, both Hong Kong residents aged between 43 and 57.
The department believes that these individuals are the syndicate mastermind and key member.
Along with earlier enforcement actions, a total of 37 people have been arrested, including 32 Hong Kong residents and five non-local residents, aged 20 to 65, consisting of 18 men and 19 women.
Investigations revealed that the syndicate had been using online platforms to advertise bogus marriages, using enticing phrases like “quick-money making” and “same-day payment” to recruit Hong Kong and non-local residents.
They claimed that single men could earn up to HK$70,000 within three days, while single women could receive between HK$100,000 and HK$150,000 or more.
The ImmD said the group arranged more than 60 bogus marriage cases from 2023 to 2024, with an estimated total involvement exceeding HK$7.5 million.
Tang added that the syndicate operated with a high degree of organization, assigning roles to each member and offering a comprehensive “one-stop” service.
“They facilitated the recruitment of Hong Kong residents for fake marriages, helped prepare the necessary documents, accompanied individuals to mainland China for the marriage, and provided guidance on how to handle inquiries from the Immigration Department,” he said.
He added that members earned a commission for each successful recruitment, encouraging them to involve more individuals in these illegal activities.
