18 arrested over forged documents for Hong Kong talent scheme

Hong Kong immigration authorities have arrested 18 people, including 13 talent scheme applicants from mainland China who are each suspected of paying a middleman HK$2.5 million (US$318,470) for fake documents such as academic qualifications to gain residency.

Hui Chi-kin, an assistant principal immigration officer, said on Wednesday that the case was the first time the Immigration Department had uncovered a criminal syndicate in its investigations.

The syndicate was believed to have been operating for 1½ years, targeting applicants to the government’s Top Talent Pass Scheme.

The department estimated that the group had worked on at least 22 applications, with each case potentially costing clients up to HK$2.5 million, earning the criminals HK$55 million in proceeds.

Hui said the cross-border syndicate was identified by an intelligence-led investigation. Officers launched an enforcement operation in April and arrested five alleged core members of the syndicate, including the mastermind.

All five, aged 42 to 56, are Hong Kong residents.

The mastermind and core syndicate members were each provisionally charged with one count of aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring another for making a false representation for the purpose of obtaining an entry permit.