A Hong Kong woman who entered into a bogus marriage with a Mainlander, was sentenced to perform 160 hours of community service.

The 25-year-old woman, Tsui Wing-shan, had earlier pleaded guilty in Sha Tin Magistrates' Court to a charge of conspiracy to defraud the Immigration Department. The 23-year-old Mainlander, Zhao Wei, had previously pleaded guilty to the same charge and was sentenced to four months' jail on October 5.

Zhao was arrested in June in a crackdown on illegal workers. Immigration records showed he had married Tsui in August 2004. Officers doubted the marriage's authenticity and launched an investigation.

Zhao admitted he had met a local "marriage fixer" in August 2004, who had offered to arrange a bogus marriage with a Hong Kong woman for him for $30,000. Tsui said a middleman offered her $10,000 to take part.

In August 2004 she married Zhao through an arrangement with the same marriage fixer. It was agreed they would divorce as soon as Zhao obtained his one-way permit.

Task force to gather evidence

The Immigration Department said it has been concerned with the issue of non-Hong Kong residents obtaining stay in Hong Kong by means of bogus marriage.

A special task force has been set up to gather intelligence and conduct an investigation if evidence comes to light. With sufficient evidence, the department will prosecute offenders.

Under the laws of Hong Kong, anyone who commits the offence of conspiracy is liable to prosecution and, upon conviction, the maximum penalty is 14 years in prison.