The District Court has sentenced three people after they were found guilty of conspiracy to defraud over certificates of origin for exporting garments.

Chong Yip Company and Pro Rich Limited owner Ting Mang-chi, 42, was jailed for 30 months, while his wife Tsoi Chi-piu, 35, was ordered to perform 210 hours of community service. Kam Ying Garment Factory proprietor Racine Cheung, 46, was jailed for 16 months.

From May 1, 2006, to April 18, 2007, Ting and Tsoi conspired with two Chong Yip shipping clerks to defraud an organisation authorised to issue certificates of origin.

They falsely represented Mainland-made garments as having been manufactured in Hong Kong, as stated in the certificate application forms. The organisation approved the applications and issued the certificates.

From April 11 to 18, 2007, Ting and Cheung conspired with another to defraud the Federation of Hong Kong Industries. In the certificate applications, Cheung falsely represented Kam Ying as manufacturer of the garments, when they were really made on the Mainland.

Believing the information was genuine, the federation approved the applications and issued the certificates to Pro Rich to export more than 8,900 denim jackets to a Mexican buyer.