2 1/3 years' jail for man in passport scam
2000-11-2
A man, who had claimed to be a trade representative of the Republic of Comoros arrested in an ICAC undercover operation, was sentenced to two-years-and-four months' imprisonment at District Court today (Thursday) for conspiring to forge a British National (Overseas) passport and other foreign passports.
The court heard that Patrick Loo Hung-fat, 49, had also proposed an escape route for an ICAC undercover officer who posed as a fugitive wanting to flee Hong Kong.
Loo was earlier found guilty of one count of conspiring with Leung Kin-man and others to make a forged Hong Kong Identity Card, a Home Visit Permit and false travel documents, including a British National (Overseas) passport, a Republic of Comoros passpor t and a Philippine passport.
In sentencing, Judge Mary Yuen said the offence committed by the defendant was serious.
Leung Kin-man, 36, unemployed, was also found guilty and would be sentenced tomorrow.
The ICAC earlier received information alleging that employees of various finance companies had taken bribes in return for approving loan applications supported by false documents. Investigations also revealed the passport scam.
The court heard that in October 1999, Loo and Leung told an ICAC undercover officer, known as Hak Chai, that they could assist in obtaining
forged travel documents for Ken, another ICAC undercover officer posing as a fugitive wanted by the Police.
On a number of occasions between October and November last year, the defendants explained in detail to Hak Chai about various escape plans for Ken.
Loo undertook to supply Ken with a set of forged travel documents, including a HK Identity Card, a Home Visit Permit, a BNO passport, a Republic of Comoros passport and a Philippine passport.
Leung demanded a deposit of $50,000 from Hak Chai.
The duo was among eight arrested in November last year in an ICAC investigation into a syndicate which allegedly helped unqualified applicants to obtain personal loans from finance companies with false employment records.
Loo and Leung had not yet provided any forged passports to the undercover officer before the arrest.
Meanwhile, Loo, Leung and four others were also charged in connection with the loan scam. The case is being heard at the District Court.
The prosecution was today represented by Richard Donald on a fiat, assisted by ICAC officer Robert Pang.
The court heard that Patrick Loo Hung-fat, 49, had also proposed an escape route for an ICAC undercover officer who posed as a fugitive wanting to flee Hong Kong.
Loo was earlier found guilty of one count of conspiring with Leung Kin-man and others to make a forged Hong Kong Identity Card, a Home Visit Permit and false travel documents, including a British National (Overseas) passport, a Republic of Comoros passpor t and a Philippine passport.
In sentencing, Judge Mary Yuen said the offence committed by the defendant was serious.
Leung Kin-man, 36, unemployed, was also found guilty and would be sentenced tomorrow.
The ICAC earlier received information alleging that employees of various finance companies had taken bribes in return for approving loan applications supported by false documents. Investigations also revealed the passport scam.
The court heard that in October 1999, Loo and Leung told an ICAC undercover officer, known as Hak Chai, that they could assist in obtaining
forged travel documents for Ken, another ICAC undercover officer posing as a fugitive wanted by the Police.
On a number of occasions between October and November last year, the defendants explained in detail to Hak Chai about various escape plans for Ken.
Loo undertook to supply Ken with a set of forged travel documents, including a HK Identity Card, a Home Visit Permit, a BNO passport, a Republic of Comoros passport and a Philippine passport.
Leung demanded a deposit of $50,000 from Hak Chai.
The duo was among eight arrested in November last year in an ICAC investigation into a syndicate which allegedly helped unqualified applicants to obtain personal loans from finance companies with false employment records.
Loo and Leung had not yet provided any forged passports to the undercover officer before the arrest.
Meanwhile, Loo, Leung and four others were also charged in connection with the loan scam. The case is being heard at the District Court.
The prosecution was today represented by Richard Donald on a fiat, assisted by ICAC officer Robert Pang.