Hong Kong breaks up fake document ring for Vietnamese workers

Hong Kong and mainland Chinese authorities have busted a ring that was making fake Hong Kong identity cards for Vietnamese immigrants.

Evidence seized from the arrests of a fake document ring. Photo: Hong Kong Immigration Department

After months of investigation, authorities conducted raids in Hong Kong and mainland China on May 16, arresting 28 people involved in the document forgery ring, Asia Times reported on May 19.

Of the 26 people arrested in Hong Kong, nine suspects are considered ringleaders. The remaining group includes nine illegal workers and seven suspects who hired the workers.

At the same time, police in Shenzhen city (Guangdong province, China) raided a fake document manufacturing facility and arrested two people, confiscating many fake ID cards and two real ID cards, which were reported lost earlier.

Police officer Quan Vuong Phan of the Organized Crime and Triad Investigation Bureau (OCTB) said the arrested criminal group mainly sold fake documents to Vietnamese workers, for about $128 each. These fake ID cards were said to be very sloppily made.

In addition, police also confiscated three fake Hong Kong identity cards, 80,000 Hong Kong dollars (10,278 USD) and many smartphones and bank cards at the scene.

Mr. Quan also said that this group has been operating for at least half a year. The contact group in Hong Kong will contact the buyer, then transfer the information to China for counterfeiting, and it will usually be completed within 1-2 days.

According to TNO