Hong Kong immigration smashes cross-border fake ID, illegal worker ring
Hong Kong's Immigration Department has broken up a cross-border syndicate that recruited mainland Chinese residents for illegal work, providing fake ID cards and accommodation. Fifteen people were arrested, and ringleaders were sentenced to up to 42 months in jail.
Hong Kong's Immigration Department has dismantled a cross-border syndicate that recruited mainland Chinese residents for illegal employment, providing them with fake identity cards and accommodation. The operation, codenamed 'Projection', ran from January 2024 to November 2026 and resulted in the arrest of 15 people, including three men and 12 women aged 37 to 64.
Investigations began in January 2024 when immigration officers at the Lok Ma Chau control point intercepted a mainland Chinese traveller carrying a forged Hong Kong identity card. The individual had been working as a dishwasher at a restaurant in Hong Kong, leading officers to uncover a network that used social media to recruit mainland residents, arrange their travel to Hong Kong, and supply them with fake ID cards and housing.
The syndicate charged illegal workers中介 fees, forgery costs and dormitory rent, amassing over HK$1 million in total. Officers seized five forged identity cards and 44 images or copies of forged cards during the operation. Those arrested included a Hong Kong employer who had hired the illegal workers.
Two ringleaders were earlier convicted of conspiracy to make false instruments, conspiracy to transfer forged Hong Kong identity cards and aiding and abetting breaches of residence conditions. They were sentenced to 29 and 42 months in prison respectively. Other syndicate members and illegal workers received sentences of 12 to 15 months for offences including breaching residence conditions, possessing forged identity cards and making false statements to immigration officers.
An Immigration Department spokesman warned that under Hong Kong law, anyone using or possessing a forged identity card faces a maximum fine of HK$100,000 and 10 years in jail. Transferring an identity card without lawful authority is also punishable by up to HK$100,000 in fines and 10 years' imprisonment. Breaching residence conditions carries a maximum penalty of HK$50,000 and two years' jail.
The spokesman also cautioned employers that hiring illegal workers is a serious offence. Under the Immigration Ordinance, penalties for employing someone not entitled to work in Hong Kong have been raised to a maximum fine of HK$500,000 and 10 years' imprisonment. Company directors, managers, secretaries and partners may also face criminal liability. The Court of Appeal has issued sentencing guidelines requiring immediate jail for such offences.
The department reminded employers to take all practicable steps to verify a worker's legal right to work, including checking identity cards and travel documents. It urged victims of human trafficking or forced labour to report offences and said it would continue strict enforcement against such crimes.
