Helpful Pinay gets sucked into money laundering, jailed 11 months

Police use this computer graphic to warn domestic workers against money laundering

Helping a friend in need has led to a Filipina being jailed for 11 months today after she was convicted of money laundering following a trial at West Kowloon Court.

Marivic Millare, 49, was described by her lawyer as a kind-hearted person who happened to allow IC, an unemployed friend at a boarding house she was staying in, to use her ATM card to be able to receive a remittance.

The Hang Seng Bank bank account ended up getting a total of $454,918.46 in deposits, all of which were immediately withdrawn, from June 12 to July 19, 2019.

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This resulted in her getting arrested by police in October 2020 and later charged with “dealing with property known or believed to be proceeds of indictable offense,” a violation of the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance.

Magistrate Tsang Hing-tung said Millare cannot be considered innocent in the case because only she can allow any transaction in her bank account, having control of its PIN.

He also noted that after recovering the ATM card from IC, Millare “had no reason to be indiferent” to the big amounts that entered her account, including some $14,000 that came from a love scam and about which a prosecution witness testified during the trial.

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That witness said she met a man online and, over time, was convinced by him to send various amounts through online transfers to various bank accounts, one of which was Millare’s. That online lover disappeared after she had sent “him” some $203,000.

Without the defendant, Magistrate Tsang said, the scammer would not have succeeded in getting money from his victim, and then disappear without a trace.

In sentencing Millare, he set a starting point of 12 months and gave a discount of one month for her good character, as testified to by her employer of 14 years who provided her cash bail, and the four years it took to resolve the case which put undue pressure on her.

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Manila set to deport Hongkonger & alleged Chinese accomplice

 

Beijing requested the deportation of Su and Hui over alleged $64.5M investment fraud 

A Hong Kong man and his Chinese female co-accused in an alleged investment scam are set to be deported from the Philippines, the Bureau of Immigration announced yesterday (Monday).

In a news release, BI Commissioner identified the fugitives as Hong Kong national Hui Chi Lam, 55 and Chinese national Su Yan, 47.

The two are wanted by Chinese mainland authorities in connection with an alleged financial fraud in which 59 million yuan (HK64.5 million) was lost. Both are charged with selling financial products to investors without having the required qualifications and government permits since 2018.

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Warrants of arrest against both accused were issued by the public security bureau of Luxi county in Jianxi, China on March 17 this year, but they were not served as they fled to the Philippines on tourist visas.

At the request of Chinese authorities, Philippine immigration authorities managed to track down the two in their condominium unit in Tondo, Manila on October 31.

“They will be deported for being undesirable aliens and their names will be included in our blacklist, banning them from re-entering the Philippines,” Commissioner Viado said.

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Apart from being on China's wanted list, the two aliens are accused of "blatant violation" of Philippine immigration laws for overstaying their tourist visas.

They are currently detained at the BI detention facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City pending deportation proceedings.

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Mission dancers take part in Wanchai culture fest

 

The Mission dancers spice up the show with their colorful costumes and energetic dancing

Volunteers at the Mission for Migrant Workers are not only adept at assisting their fellow workers  with queries about their rights and welfare under Hong Kong law, they can also dance!

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Last October 20, a group of Mission volunteers from the Philippine Kalinga Pattong Players performed a traditional dance at the Cultural Mela (or fair) held at Lee Tung Avenue in Wanchai and organized by Baptist Oi Kwan Social Service.

The Kalinga dance is usually performed during weddings among dwellers of the Philippines’ Cordillera region.

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The Kalingas are renowned for their pride in their ancestry, their intricate hand-woven textiles and colorful beaded jewelry, as well as their way of incorporating dance and traditional music as a form of thanksgiving and cultural preservation.

A number of people in the audience tried to keep in step with the dancers

Their widely-applauded number at the mela included an on-the-spot tutorial on simple traditional dance poses and the use of the gongs, and ended with them inviting the audience to join them in a community dance.

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DH jailed 4 months for 8 thefts

 

Estate where the stealing spree began (Google Maps photo) 

A Filipina was jailed for four months today after she pleaded guilty at Fan Ling Court to eight theft charges involving more than $6,000 in total.

Beverly Fernandez, 29, was actually meted a four-month jail sentence for each theft, but the sentences were made to run concurrently by Magistrate Kelly Shui, who noted the “serious breach of trust  done towards an old lady.”

Magistrate Shui did not issue a compensation order despite the prosecution demanding that Fernandez return the stolen total of $6,071.9 to her employer and her mother in law. 

Her lawyer said she was unable to produce the money. In fact. he said in mitigation, she was driven to steal because she was deep in debt.

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The  stealing spree began when Fernandez stole a wallet belonging to her employer’s mother-in-law, when she visited their flat in Yuk Po Court, Sheung Shui last Aug. 8. The wallet contained the owner’s JoyYou card issued by Octopus Card to the elderly, her Hong Kong ID card and $1,980 in cash.

On the same day, Fernandez also stole $3,500 in cash from her employer’s bedroom drawer.

She left the house that day and used the stolen JoyYou card to take an MTR ride at the Shatin station, paying the dicounted $1.40 fare, which the charge said, represented a debt owed by Octopus Cards Ltd. to its owner.

Her fourth theft case arose after she used the JoyYou card to make a $22.5 purchase at the Circle K store at Wai Wah Center in Shatin.

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She then took another MTR ride in Kowloon Tong, charging a $2 fare.

At the Festival Walk Mall in Kowloon Tong, she used the JoyYou card again to buy shoes from a Dr. Kong shop on the second floor, incurring a $508 expense.

Before she left the mall, she ate at Pepper Lunch also on the second floor, and paid for the $56 meal with the JoyYou card.

Finally, on the next day (Aug. 9), she took the MTR at the Lam Tin station and charged the $2 fare to the stolen JoyYou card.

Training on addiction detection, free eye check-up set

 

The Mission for Migrant Workers will hold an online training this coming Wednesday, Nov. 6, on how the various types of addictions can impact a person’s mental health, and how they can be avoided and overcome.

The training is part of the Mission's Mental Health Awareness and Stress Reduction Program. It will be conducted in Filipino via Zoom from 10pm to 11:30pm. 

Those who wish to participate can send their names and contact numbers via WhatsApp or Telegram to telephone number 92021740.

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The guest speaker is Inna Abrogena, project officer of Migrant Domestic Workers Recharge Hub of the Chinese University in Hong Kong and mental health advocate for migrant domestic workers and ethnic minorities.

She will discuss the different types of addition, how an addiction affects a person’s brain and behavior, how mental illness and addiction can often go hand in hand, and the treatment options for overcoming addiction.

Poster for the free eye check-up, blood pressure and glucose testing

Meanwhile, the Social Justice for Migrant Workers is conducting another session of free eye check-up as well as blood pressure and blood pressure check-up.

The session will be held on Nov 10, Sunday, 8am to 5pm at the Bayanihan Kennedy Town Centre.

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The free service is provided by Visaya Twenty-One Optical Clinic.

Those who wish to avail of the service may register by calling Merlie at 94584181.

“Remember, health is wealth,” said SJMW in its Facebook post announcing the free consultations.

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Filipinos to perform in HK's cultural feast, Asia+ Festival

 

The Asia+ Festival is on its second year

Performers from the Philippines will be part of this year's Asia+ Festival Asian Ethnic Cultural Performances, to be held on November 10 (Sunday), from 2pm to 6pm at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza and Foyer, the organizer Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) has announced.

The Filipinos will present ethnic dances, along with performers from Cambodia, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Laos, Nepal, Russia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Türkiye and Vietnam,

The program, to be held from 2 to 6pm, will also feature traditional musical instrument performances from Kazakhstan, Korea and Kuwait.

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Of particular note is a 20-plus-member Kuwaiti group who will for the first time fly in to perform a sword dance and Middle East instruments  Daf and Mirwas.

Members of the public can enjoy handicraft displays from Bangladesh, Pakistan and other places, and participate in a range of workshops such as traditional dance, headgear making, spoon painting, Christmas decoration drawing, paper umbrella painting, and fragrant sachet making.

Japanese sake and snacks from Türkiye and Vietnam will be available at the food stalls on-site.

The theme this year is "Celebration in Splendour".

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Through folk music, dance, costume display, handicrafts and special delicacies, the event enables visitors to learn about how people of different nations celebrate milestones and important moments in their lives.  

Admission is free. Members of the public are welcome to join.

The performances are part of the second Asia+ Festival running from September to November, highlighting the arts and cultures of nearly 30 Asian and Belt and Road countries and regions. 

Apart from stage programs, Asia+ will also have thematic exhibitions, an outdoor carnival, film screenings, outreach activities and more, numbering over 100 in total. (Details at www.asiaplus.gov.hk/2024/en/).

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Asia+ Festival is presented by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and organized by LCSD to develop Hong Kong into an East-meets-West center for international cultural exchange, in collaboration with consulates general and overseas cultural organizations in Hong Kong.

Additionally, an exhibition entitled "Sartorial Splendour - National Costume Exhibition" will be held from November 10 to 17 at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Foyer.

The eight-day exhibition showcases beautiful costumes and accessories that Asian people wear during festive events and celebratory performances. These include wedding attire and ethnic costumes from multiple countries and regions: Kuwait's wedding attire and headdress; Laos' Sinh skirts; Bidayuh, Orang Ulu and Dayak attire from the aboriginals in Malaysia; wedding attire from Myanmar; T'boli ethnic costumes from the Philippines; and Ao Dai gowns from Vietnam. There will also be a trial session of traditional Chinese costumes for visitors.

Along with the live performances and exhibition, the Asian Ethnic Cultural Performances will also offer an online program recapturing the event highlights, to be broadcast on November 24 on the LCSD's Community Programmes Office (CPO) website (www.cpo.gov.hk/activity/en-aecp-2024-carnival/).

Twenty-three countries and regions will participate in the event, including Hong Kong, China; Macao, China; Bangladesh; Cambodia; Indonesia; Japan; Kazakhstan; Korea; Kuwait; Laos; Malaysia; Mongolia; Myanmar; Nepal; Pakistan; the Philippines; Russia; Saudi Arabia; Singapore; Sri Lanka; Thailand; Türkiye and Vietnam. For more details of the event, please visit the CPO website or call 2591 1340.

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Filipina’s sentencing put off after promise to help prosecute agent

 

A Filipina who paid $12,000 to an agent to find her a fake employer willing to sign her up as a domestic helper, has admitted her guilt at Shatin court, but her sentencing has been put off after she promised to help prosecute the agent.

Melinda David, 32 years old, was charged with making a false representation to an Immigration officer lawfully acting or in the execution of Part III of the Immigration Ordinance.”

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The complaint filed by Immigration Department said she committed the offense on Oct. 2, 2022.

She tearfully admitted that after she was granted a DH visa extension, she never met or worked for her supposed employer, Wu Cheuk-ti.

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David found herself in this arrangement after she was terminated by her previous employer and she found her way to an agent in May 2023 who offered her a fake work contract that could be used to process her visa, for a $12,000 fee.

In a hearing on Nov. 1, David admitted to the facts read to her, such as her getting her visa approved on Oct. 27, 2023.

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Her lawyer requested Magistrate Andrew Mok to withhold her sentence and asked for a four-week adjournment to give the Immigration Department time to assess her offer to help investigate the agent, which could affect the sentence.

Magistrate Mok acceded to the request, adjourning the case to Nov. 29.

He also freed David on $1,000 bail.

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SB19’s Josh to do private showcase in HK on Nov 10

 

Hong Kong “A'TINs”, or fans of the foremost Pinoy pop (P-pop) group SB10, have another reason to be jumping for joy. Just two months after the successful screening in Hong Kong of “Pagtatag!”, the band’s tell-all documentary, another delightful surprise awaits them.

Josh Cullen, one of the five members of SB19, will be bringing his highly anticipated "Lost & Found" private showcase to the Soho House Duplex Studio in Sheung Wan on Nov. 10, marking his first solo performance in Hong Kong.

Josh, who was previously nominated for Billboard Music Award for Top Social Artist, will bring his brand of exciting music and boundless energy to fans through this show.

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To join the exclusive event, fans can purchase merchandise packages that include showcase invitations starting now at https://sonymusichk.lnk.to/JCHK. The packages are priced at HKD 688 for VIP, and HKD 488 for General Admission.

In addition, each attendee can purchase a meet-and-greet group photo opportunity with Josh for HKD 300.

The seven-track “Lost and Found” album highlights Josh’s talent as a poignant storyteller. It includes the new single, “No Control," which features the rising Filipino rock band (e)motion engine, while the official music video showcases Josh's journey of embracing his vulnerabilities and discovering himself.

Fans can also look forward to him perform the other tracks in the album, including "Silent Cries," "Honest," "Lights Out," and the viral hit "1999."

Since its release in early September, the album has received an enthusiastic response from fans, accumulating millions of streams on Spotify.

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Earlier this year, Josh won several awards for his music and represented the Philippines at the Round Festival in Korea. He was also featured in this year’s Grammy's Global Spin.

For more information, please visit http://www.joshcullenofficial.com. You can also listen to Josh Cullen's "Lost and Found" album at https://SonyMusicHK.lnk.to/JoshCullen_LostandFound

To add fun to the event, The SUN will be putting up for bid two merchandise packages, each of which will include exclusive invitations to the showcase, with the proceeds going to Bethune House Migrant Women’s Refuge.

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Bids should be at least $500 for each merchandise pack, and must be stated in the comment section below, along with a telephone number for confirmation. (If the bidders want to keep their contact numbers private they can send us a message through WhatsApp).The bidding will stop at 12 midnight on Thursday, after which The SUN will then contact those who made the winning bid for payment, and instructions on how they could pick up their merchandise and invites.

In addition to getting exclusive entry to the showcase, the winners will have the chance to have their photos or videos taken during the event, published in The SUN. Please send us a message through our Facebook page, The SUN Hong Kong, for any queries.

Bethune House is a Hong Kong-registered charity that has provided shelter and other assistance to migrant worker in distress for the past 38 years.  

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2 overstaying Pinays avoid jail despite pleading guilty

 

Two Filipinas have avoided jail after pleading guilty at Shatin Court to breaching their condition of stay by not leaving Hong Kong when their visas expired.

Both J. Apalis and M. Zabala received identical sentences of six days in prison, suspended for 12 months, which will enable them to leave for the Philippines immediately without having to spend a day in prison.

But Magistrate Andrew Mok warned them in a hearing Friday (Nov. 1) that if they commit a new offense within the one-year period, they will be made to serve their sentences in addition to the penalties to be imposed for their new offenses.

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They were originally sentenced to nine days in prison in these cases, based on complaints filed by the Immigration Department, but were given a one-third discount because they pleaded guilty.

Apalis, 41 years old, was charged with violation of section 41 of the Immigration Ordinance, when she remained in Hong Kong after the grace period of two weeks following her termination as a domestic helper on April 17, 2023.

Her overstay was officially until Oct. 27, 2023, or for about six months, when she filed her claim for asylum in Hong Kong which was eventually turned down.

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Her lawyer sought a light sentence for her, citing her clean record, remorse and desire to go home to her mother and teen-aged son in the Philippines.

Zabala, also 41 years old, had overstayed from May 23 to June 7 this year, or 15 days, after her DH contact was terminated on May 8.

Her lawyer said she had to stay longer because of financial problems, but since these have since been resolved, she voluntarily surrendered to Immigration. 

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She now wished to go home soonest and asked for a lenient sentence.

A similar third case heard by Magistrate Mok involved C. Ondivilla, aged 36, who was released on bail of $30 when her lawyer sought an adjournment to Nov. 29 because she was filing her non-refoulement claim.

She is charged with overstaying from Jan. 15, 2024 -- two weeks after she was terminated on Jan. 1, 2024 -- until her arrest last Sept. 9.

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21 people arrested in 4-day anti-illegal work operations

 

Some of the suspects are taken away for questioning 

A total of 21 people were arrested in the latest operations mounted by the Immigration Department and Hong Kong Police to crack down on illegal work.

More than 80 premises were raided over four days, or from October 28 to 31, in various places across Hong Kong.

Those arrested included 15 suspected illegal workers, four suspected employers, one suspected aider and abettor, and one overstayer.

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In the first phase of the operations where 55 premises were raided, five suspected illegal workers were arrested, comprising two men and five women, aged 35 to 47.

One of the men held a recognisance form, which prohibits him from taking any employment, while one woman was found to possess what appeared to be a forged Hong Kong identity card.

One man and one woman, aged 53 and 66, who were suspected of employing the illegal workers, were also arrested.

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Separately, a man aged 35 was also arrested on suspicion of aiding and abetting a person who breached the condition of stay in Hong Kong.

In the second phase, 26 locations in Eastern and Western districts were targeted, leading to the arrest of eight suspected illegal workers, two suspected employers and one overstayer.

Three men and five women aged 29 to 65 were arrested on suspicion of working illegally. One of the women held a recognizance form.

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Two men, aged 49 and 50, who were suspected of employing the illegal workers, were also arrested, along with a 39-year-old woman found to have overstayed her visa.

Immigration repeated the warning that working illegally is a serious offense, for which the maximum penalty is two or three years in jail, and a fine of $50,000. The penalty is more severe if the illegal worker committed another offence, like overstaying, or while on recognizance.

Aiders and abettors are equally liable to prosecution and penalty.

Employers, on the other hand, could be jailed for up to 10 years and meted a maximum fine of $500,000.

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Health Dept warns against Viagra-like coffee product

 

This instant coffee pack contains the drug found in Viagra

Buyers of a coffee product offered in local online stores may have unwittingly been using a cheaper alternative to Viagra, which is used to treat erectile disfunction among men.

What they may not have realized was that the product, Firstwell Tongkat Ali Premix Coffee, contains an undeclared ingredient -- sildenafil, the same active ingredient as Viagra and a Part 1 poison under Hong Kong law.

Apart from the obvious effect of the drug, people who ingest it could also experience a drop in their blood pressure, headache, dizziness, and a blurring of vision.

The Department of Health has warned against consuming the coffee product after test results from the Government Laboratory have confirmed it contained sildenafil.

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What the advisory did not mention was that mere possession of the substance is an offense under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance, which sets the maximum penalty of a $100,000 fine and two years' imprisonment.

“Sildenafil is a prescription drug used for treatment of erectile dysfunction, and should only be used under a doctor's advice and be supplied in a pharmacy under the supervision of a registered pharmacist upon a doctor's prescription,” DH said.

It added: “Side effects of sildenafil include low blood pressure, headaches, vomiting, dizziness and transient vision disturbances. It may interact with some drugs (such as nitroglycerin for the treatment of angina) and cause a decrease in blood pressure to dangerous levels. Improper use of sildenafil may pose serious health risks, especially for patients with heart problems.”

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Under the ordinance, a Part 1 poison and products that contain it must be registered as a pharmaceutical product with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong before they can be legally sold in the market.

Firstwell Tongkat Ali Premix Coffee is not registered in Hong Kong, the DH said, and investigation is continuing.

DH advised buyers of pharmaceutical products to check that their packaging includes their Hong Kong registration number in the format of "HK-XXXXX". “The safety, quality and efficacy of unregistered pharmaceutical products are not guaranteed,” DH added.

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The DH also urged people who have purchased these products to stop consuming them immediately.

“They should consult healthcare professionals for advice if feeling unwell after consumption,” it added.

The public may submit the products to the DH Drug Office at Room 1804-1806, 18/F, Wing On Kowloon Centre, 345 Nathan Road, Kowloon, during office hours for disposal.

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