Latest news with #TopTalentPassScheme
South China Morning Post
3 days ago
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong's arrests over talent scheme scam show need for vigilance
Hong Kong has long been a magnet for the best and brightest from overseas, even more so under the government's ambitious talent trawl in recent years. Regrettably, the much-touted admission scheme has also become an opportunity for scammers to make money. The authorities must stamp out abuses and ensure those recruited can enhance the city's competitiveness. Advertisement In the first crackdown of its kind, the immigration authorities arrested a syndicate allegedly offering applicants a ' one-stop service ' with fake academic qualifications, employment proof and other documents for the Top Talent Pass Scheme. Eighteen people were arrested, including five Hongkongers behind the scam and 13 mainland applicants. The group was believed to have operated for 1½ years and worked on at least 22 applications, with each case potentially costing clients up to HK$2.5 million (US$319,000). The talent scheme has received about 135,000 applications since it was launched in December 2022, with 109,000 approved as of June. The number in connection with the alleged scam is relatively small. But for a recruitment drive of such a wide scale, there is always room for abuse, be it individual acts or well-orchestrated syndicates. The application mechanism has already been strengthened through the requirement for proof of academic qualifications certified by designated third-party credential verification bodies or the awarding institutions. The authorities have rightly pledged to vet every application strictly and step up random checks. Closer collaboration with law enforcement agencies across the border will also help. Last December, local media reported that there were talent agencies on the mainland offering to create fake salaries and other records for those applying for the talent scheme. Officials warned aspirants not to trust such agents, adding that assessment would be strict and there were no loopholes to exploit. Advertisement We hope the latest arrests show the monitoring mechanism is working well, rather than otherwise. The authorities must vigorously check every case to ensure all approvals are worthy ones. At stake is not just the city's image and reputation, but also its manpower and competitiveness.
South China Morning Post
4 days ago
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Schools need more support to integrate talent visa dependants into Hong Kong
Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@ or filling in this Google form . Submissions should not exceed 400 words, and must include your full name and address, plus a phone number for verification When asked about the process of transitioning a student from one school to another, I often resort to the same analogy: it's like repotting a plant. The plant may thrive in its new, larger environment, but there's always a risk that the roots won't take hold. The Post's report on the challenges faced by the children of Top Talent Pass Scheme and Quality Migrant Admission Scheme visa holders (''I felt lost': mainland Chinese talent children on their struggles to settle in Hong Kong', July 18 ) should come as no surprise. Young people encounter a host of obstacles even when moving to a new school within the same city: new teachers, new buildings and, above all, new peers. The complex social dynamics unique to every school environment require careful navigation – a process that can prove difficult even for adults. The complexity of these dynamics is multiplied a hundred-fold by the language barriers that many mainland students run into in Hong Kong schools. Disparate educational regimes and subtle cultural differences between the mainland and Hong Kong only exacerbate the situation. School administrators may have experience in integrating a handful of new students each year, but they likely find it overwhelming to do so on the scale described in the report. We must not assume that students, teachers and schools will simply sort themselves out when they are placed under such strain. Instead, schools must receive more direct support to integrate new arrivals seamlessly into communities. We can take lessons from Hong Kong's many international schools, which regularly welcome large numbers of new students among their ranks.
HKFP
5 days ago
- HKFP
Hong Kong arrests 18 over forged applications for top talent visa
Immigration authorities have arrested 18 people over false documents used to apply for Hong Kong talent visas, including alleged members of a local forgery syndicate and mainland Chinese accused of using the documents. The Immigration Department said in a Thursday statement that the syndicate was suspected of having arranged for mainland Chinese people to 'obtain Hong Kong entry permits using false instruments including forged academic qualifications, employment proof, foreign visas and immigration stamps.' The department's investigation found that the syndicate had arranged at least 22 Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) applications, charging up to HK$2.5 million each. That amounted to a total estimated transaction value of around HK$55 million. The forgery ring continued to offer services, such as producing false local employment and salary records, upon their clients' arrival in Hong Kong after they obtained entry permits under the TTPS. The top talent visa was first introduced in December 2022 to attract more high earners and university graduates to the city amid a wave of emigration. An overwhelming majority of the talent visas are issued to mainland Chinese. Forged documents Since April, five Hong Kong residents – members of the syndicate – have been arrested and charged with 'aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring the making of a false statement for the purpose of obtaining an entry permit,' the statement said. The five, aged 42 to 56, are also suspected of money laundering but have yet to be charged. The investigation is still ongoing. A total of 13 mainland Chinese people suspected of using the syndicate's services – seven men and six women aged 27 to 47 – have also been arrested for 'causing to be made a false statement for the purpose of obtaining an entry permit.' The Immigration Department 'reiterates that should any person be found to have obtained their entry permit or residence status in Hong Kong by fraudulent means, such an entry permit or residence status will be declared invalid according to the laws of Hong Kong and they will be subject to criminal liability,' the statement said. 'They will also be subject to removal back to their place of origin.' Presenting false documents to an immigration officer or ordering such documents carries a maximum fine of HK$150,000 and imprisonment for 14 years. Making, possessing or using a false instrument carries a maximum penalty of 14 years' imprisonment. The Immigration Department said it began to step up verification measures in June last year. It now requires all applicants for Categories B and C under the TTPS, both of which target recent graduates, to submit proof of academic qualifications issued by designated third-party credential verification organisations or the awarding institutions.
The Sun
5 days ago
- The Sun
Hong Kong arrests 18 for forged degrees in talent scheme
HONG KONG: The Immigration Department of Hong Kong has arrested 18 individuals for submitting fraudulent academic credentials under the city's Top Talent Pass Scheme. This marks the first time authorities have dismantled a syndicate assisting mainland Chinese applicants with forged documents. The group operated for over a year, processing at least 22 applications with fees reaching HK$2.5 million per case. Total proceeds from the scam are estimated at HK$55 million. Among those detained were five Hong Kong residents, suspected of running the operation, and 13 mainland applicants aged 27 to 47. Hui Chi-kin, an assistant principal immigration officer, revealed that the syndicate targeted social media users discussing relocation to Hong Kong. They offered a 'one-stop service package' that included fake overseas degrees and employment certificates to bypass immigration checks. The department has vowed to intensify scrutiny of applications and conduct random inspections to prevent further fraud. - Bernama-Xinhua
The Star
5 days ago
- The Star
18 arrested over forged degree in Hong Kong's talent scheme
HONG KONG, July 23 (Xinhua) -- The Immigration Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government said on Wednesday that 18 people have been arrested for using forged degrees to apply for Hong Kong's Top Talent Pass Scheme. It was the first time that the department uncovered a criminal syndicate assisting mainland residents in submitting false qualifications for the scheme. The criminal syndicate had been operating for around one and a half years, arranging at least 22 applications. According to preliminary estimates by the department, each application, including follow-up services, was charged up to 2.5 million HK dollars (about 318,471 U.S. dollars), involving a total of 55 million HK dollars. Among those arrested were five Hong Kong residents, aged 42 to 56, believed to be members of the criminal syndicate. The remaining 13 individuals, aged 27 to 47, were mainland residents. Hui Chi-kin, an assistant principal immigration officer of the department, said that the criminal syndicate monitored and tracked posts on mainland social media platforms that shared information about Hong Kong. They then proactively sent private messages to individuals interested in relocating to the city and promoted a "one-stop service package" which included forging overseas university degrees, and providing fake employment certificates to assist with application submissions. Hui said that the department will strictly vet each endorsement and entry permit application, and step up random inspections. (1 U.S. dollar equals 7.85 HK dollars)
