15 arrested in ImmiD busts which forged ID cards for illegal workers

Three men and 12 women have been arrested after the Immigration Department busted a criminal group which forged identity documents for illegal worker. Evidence seized include five forged Hong Kong ID cards and 44 ID card copies. The arrested include a Hong Kong employer, the syndicate's two ringleaders who are from the mainland and 10 illegal workers.

Authorities say the group first came to light two years ago when a mainland traveller worked as a dishwasher in Hong Kong, earning a daily wage of 300 dollars, was found to hold a forged Hong Kong ID card. It was later found some Mainland residents applied to work overseas through the crime group which charged a 30,000 yuan commission.

The applicants, however, were asked to work in Hong Kong illegally instead because of visa issues. They paid 2,000 Hong Kong dollars a month for rent at dormitories and were also charged 3,000 dollars per forged ID card.