The Sha Tin Magistrates' Court has sentenced a local resident to six months in jail after he was convicted of conspiracy to defraud the Immigration Department.

In 2004 and 2005, the defendant had agreed to offer process engineer jobs at a Hong Kong company to 11 Filipinos, at a monthly salary of $10,000. He demanded they sign job contracts stating the monthly salary was $18,000 to $21,000, though, to facilitate the Immigration Department's assessment of their job visas.

The man, aged 48, was charged with 11 counts of conspiracy to defraud and was convicted on 10 of them. Anyone who commits such an offence may face prosecution and a 14-year jail term on conviction.

The department reminded employers not to import cheap labour by illegal means to cut spending. Making false representation to an immigration service member is liable upon conviction to a $150,000 fine and 14 years in jail. Aiders and abettors may also face prosecution and penalty.