The operating security minister of Hong Kong confirmed that the city’s authorities had made 25 arrests in the last three years as they had been claiming they had used forged academic credentials to enroll in nearby universities.
According to Acting Secretary of Security Michael Cheuk Hau-yip in the Legislative Council on Wednesday ( Dec. 18 ), police have also identified 14 “unscrupulous” mainland Chinese organizations or intermediaries that are suspected of being involved in the crimes and have contacted Chinese authorities.
Cheuk was responding to a problem from Hong Kong’s senator Chan Wing-kwong, who requested a list of how many people lied about applying for study in Hong Kong.
Chan cited instances of “unscrupulous and unlawful middlemen” in mainland China soliciting businesses by” spreading rumours” about Hong Kong’s several skill registration schemes, even “going as far as concealing educational qualifications”.
At the University of Hong Kong’s ( HKU) business university, two people were detained by Hong Kong authorities in July over an admissions controversy involving about 30 Chinese graduate students.
In later May, HKU made the announcement that it had conducted a police report following an international research. According to reports, the dean of the HKU business school at the time speculated that up to 100 individuals might be involved.
Since Jan 2022, 25 individuals have been arrested for allegedly using false qualifications to secure areas in local colleges, shared Cheuk. Three of the eight people who were charged and ultimately found guilty were later sentenced to a maximum sentence of 17 month in prison.
Immigration officials have determined that those who have been found guilty have their visas or entry permits deemed irrelevant. The 17 never charged are still under inspection.
Any person or business giving false information or attempting to reflect an candidate for a card or access force is a crime in Hong Kong. The maximum penalty is 14 years ‘ jail and a HK$ 150, 000 ( US$ 19, 300 ) fine.
ASSESSING APPLICATIONS IN” RIGOROUS MANNER”
According to Cheuk,” The Immigration Department has established procedures for evaluating each card or access permit application in accordance with the skill admission schemes.”
Also, the law will revoke those’ visas or entry permits if they are discovered to have been obtained there illegally. Additionally, they will be brought back to their country of nature.  ,
According to Cheuk,” Even if the individual has obtained the right of sanctuary in Hong Kong, it will be declared invalid under the laws, and he will be subject to removal back to his place of origin.”
Citing the state’s education ministry, Cheuk said that officers have reminded people who intend to study in Hong Kong not to “easily and naively think” claims of “guaranteed registration” from third-party agencies.  ,
He added that upon identification of any violations, post-secondary institutions may “take fast and decisive administrative actions”, including withdrawing entrance offers or expulsion, and send the cases to law enforcement agencies.