Hong Kong resident Cheng Yuen-kwong and Mainland woman He Ye have been jailed for nine months for conspiracy to defraud by entering into a bogus marriage.

Cheng, 57, and He, 42, pleaded guilty at the Sha Tin Magistrates' Court today to a joint charge of conspiracy to defraud, dishonestly causing the marriage registrar to officiate at their wedding.

Ms He was arrested last month for alleged involvement in prostitution. Records revealed that she married Cheng in December, 2005, in Hong Kong.

She admitted that in September, 2005, she paid a matchmaker $20,000 for arranging a bogus marriage for her with a Hong Kong resident.

Meanwhile, Cheng had been paid $3,000 to marry Ms He through the same matchmaker's arrangements. They planned to divorce once Ms He obtained a One Way China Exit Permit.

The department is investigating the alleged matchmaker and prosecution proceedings will be instituted if there is sufficient evidence.