The SUN HK : Syndicate supplying restaurants with illegal workers smashed

Investigators display evidence seized during the raids on the syndicate

The Immigration Department (ImmD) has smashed an illegal worker syndicate posing as a labor contractor supplying cleaners to restaurants.

The syndicate was unmasked in anti-illegal worker operations codenamed "Fireblade" conducted by Immigration’s Special Investigation Section from October 10 to 12.

A total of five syndicate members, 20 suspected illegal workers and eight suspected employers were arrested in raids on 16 premises.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

In separate joint operations with the Hong Kong Police Force codenamed "Champion" and "Windsand" on October 10 and 12, ImmD also arrested six suspected illegal workers, three suspected employers and four overstayers.

In a statement, Immigration said the syndicate had been under investigation since earlier this year.

After months of investigation and intelligence analysis, the ImmD identified the syndicate providing cleaning services to restaurants, claiming to provide lawfully employable workers while recruiting illegal workers at a lower cost.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

“The ImmD believed that the syndicate had operated for more than six months” it said in a tatement. “Over 50 restaurants were involved and the value of outsourced contracts ranged from $20,000 to $50,000. It is estimated that the total amount of transaction handled by this syndicate exceeded $17 million.”

In operation Fireblade, the ImmD had raided four residential premises and 12 restaurants.

Of the 33 persons arrested, five were syndicate members aged 25 to 64, 20 suspected illegal workers and eight suspected employers.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

The arrested workers comprise six men and 14 women, aged 23 to 55, and reported to be mostly Indonesians. Among them, two were holders of recognizance forms which prohibit them from taking any employment.

Three forged Hong Kong identity cards were unearthed and a considerable number of items were seized including bank statements, employment contracts, mobile phones and computer equipment. The investigation is still ongoing, and more persons involved in the case may be arrested.

In its other operation, ImmD and police operatives arrested six suspected illegal workers, three suspected employers and four overstayers.

Pindutin dito

During operation "Champion", officers raided 41 target locations in Sham Shui Po District, including garages, premises under renovation, residential buildings and retail shops. Three suspected illegal workers, three suspected employers and four overstayers were arrested. The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised one man and two women, aged 32 to 53. In addition, one woman was also suspected of using and being in possession of a forged Hong Kong identity card.

Three male and one female overstayers, aged 39 to 47, were arrested. Three men, aged 27 to 57, were suspected of employing the illegal workers and were also arrested. Among them, two suspected illegal workers, three suspected employers and four overstayers were handled by the ImmD.

A suspected illegal worker is taken in for investigation.

In operation "Windsand", three male Mainland visitors, aged 28 to 50, were arrested for breaching their condition of stay by being involved in suspected illegal parallel trading activities at Ka Fu Close and areas around San Wan Road in Sheung Shui district. The goods were healthcare products and skincare products.

"As stipulated in section 38AA of the Immigration Ordinance, an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land is prohibited from taking any employment, whether paid or unpaid, or establishing or joining in any business,” the ImmD said.

“ Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to three years' imprisonment. Under the prevailing laws, it is an offense to use or possess a forged Hong Kong identity card or a Hong Kong identity card related to another person. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $100,000 and up to 10 years' imprisonment," it added.