9 arrested in latest raids vs illegal work

 

Suspected illegal workers are arrested during an operation

Nine persons were arrested in the latest anti-illegal worker operations conducted by the Immigration Department, with help from Hong Kong Police.

Those arrested consisted of eight workers -- two men and six women aged 32 to 57. Two of them had recognisance forms which prohibit them from taking any employment. A man aged 32 was also arrested for employing the illegal workers.

The arrests were made on January 9 to 15 by Immigration officers in operations codenamed "Twilight" and in joint operations with the Hong Kong Police Force codenamed "Champion" .

The officers raided multiple target locations including wet markets, hair salons and retail stores.

"Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him or her shall be guilty of an offence,” Immigration said.. “Visitors are not allowed to take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years' imprisonment. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties."

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

Those who use recognisance forms as identity document are also prohibited  by section 38AA of the Immigration Ordinance from taking any employment, whether paid or unpaid, or establishing or joining any business.

“Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to three years' imprisonmen,” it added. In addition, the Chief Executive may make a deportation order against them, prohibiting them from being in Hong Kong at any time thereafter if found guilty of an offense punishable by imprisonment for not less than two years.

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People who employ people not lawfully employable also face a fine of up to $500,000 and imprisonment of up to 10 years.

“The director, manager, secretary, partner, etc, of the company concerned may also bear criminal liability. The High Court has laid down sentencing guidelines that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence,” Immigration added.

32 people arrested in illegal work raids

 

Suspected illegal workers are arrested and herded to an Immigration van

Three joint operations led by Immigration Department officers to flush out illegal workers have led to the arrest of 32 people across Hong Kong from April 10 to 16.

Of those arrested, 21 were suspected to be working illegally while the 11 others stood as their employers.

The suspected illegal workers comprised nine men and 12 women, aged 32 to 63. Two of the women possessed apparently forged Hong Kong identity cards.

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Those arrested for employing them were seven men and four women aged 30 to 58. Immigration said an investigation into the suspected employers is ongoing, and further arrests could not be ruled out.

Targeted in the latest raids were multiple premises including warehouses, retail stores and commercial buildings.

Immigration reiterated that illegal work is a serious crime in Hong Kong, which carries the maximum penalty of two years in jail and $50,000 in fine. If the arrested worker is an overstayer or is on recognizance or intends to seek asylum the jail term is up to three years.

Those who use forged identity documents can be jailed for up to 10 years and fined a maximum of $100,000.

Employers are advised to ensure the people they are hiring are legally employable. Those found to have failed to exercise due diligence in ensuring the employability of their workers or have deliberately hired illegal workers can be fined up to $500,000 and jailed for up to 10 years.

Mere failure to properly inspect the jobseeker’s travel document in the absence of a Hong Kong identity card could lead to prosecution and on conviction, to a fine up to $150,000 and imprisonment for up to a year.

To report suspected illegal work activities, please call the dedicated hotline 185 185, fax at 2824 1166, email anti_crime@immd.gov.hk, or submit the "Online Reporting of Immigration Offences" form at www.immd.gov.hk.

 

 

Filipina loses DC appeal to avoid paying loan; bill balloons

The District Court is housed in this building in Wan Chai

A Filipina who appealed a District Court ruling that granted a money lender’s right to collect overdue repayments to two loans plus interest, found herself facing a much bigger bill after the court today rejected her two appeals.

Deputy District Judge Louise Chan said Gilda H. Delay’s grounds of appeal were mostly a replay of her case and evidence in the two cases that were heard together, “and one must remember Delay did not give evidence in the trial but attempted to introduce all evidence from a hearsay perspective from one TamAng.”

She added: “Since most of the points raised by Delay in her Grounds of Appeal, written submissions and oral submissions were simply regurgitation of her earlier submissions for the Trial, I do not consider that Delay has any reasonable chance of success in appealing against any of my primary findings of facts as the Judgment has already provided all the weighing exercise and considerations I made before coming to my decision.”

With the ruling, not only is Delay liable to pay Pacific Ace Finance Limited $1,442 and $8,250 as the unpaid principal for the two loans she took out with co-borrowers Andrenee Villasfer and Rosalina Villasfer, who have since both left Hong Kong, she must also pay default interest amounting to $3,117.56 and $25,007.67, plus the interest on both loans from the date of judgment until payment.

Basahin ang detalye!

And since she lost in court, Delay is also liable to pay the legal costs of Pacific Ace: $530,000 for its solicitors plus an order nisi of $47,523 for the appeal, which will become final unless amended within 14 days.

The two cases were money lenders’ actions, in which Pacific Ace tried to recover the principal sum with interest of two loans.

“In my Judgment (handed down on July 10, 2025), I found in favor of P (Pacific Ace),” Judge Chan said.

Delay took out two summonses for these cases on Aug. 6, 2025 for leave to appeal.

See previous news story here: https://www.sunwebhk.com/2025/07/money-lender-wins-collection-suit-vs-3.html

JIL warns of people using its name for illegal recruitment to New Zealand

 

Screenshot of the FB account used to trick the 3 OFWs

The Jesus is Lord Church in Hong Kong says it is not in any way linked to a man who had claimed to be a member of its branch in New Zealand so he could trick at least three Filipina domestic workers in the city into applying for non-existent jobs abroad.

The man who used the name Jhon Marquez on Facebook had managed to convince the Filipinas to part with thousands of dollars so they could take up his offer of working in New Zealand as “tomato picker” for which they would reportedly be paid the equivalent of Php35,000 a week.

To sweeten the deal, “Jhon” who reportedly also said he was working with the Philippine embassy in New Zealand, promised the women that they could leave Hong Kong in just five months as long as they paid the processing fee.

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But after the victims sent money to e-wallets in the Philippines in the names of "John Michael Sana" and "Sarah Jane Sales" according to his instructions, Jhon blocked them all on Facebook.

On being told about the apparent scam, JIL HK Pastor Bart Itong contacted his colleagues in New Zealand and they told him they did not know any Jhon Marquez, but will investigate further.

JIL HK has also forwarded the records of the case to Senator Joel Villanueva, son of the church founder and spiritual director Eddie Villanueva, so Philippine authorities could also take action, noting that those who received the victims’ money are based there.

Of the three victims, 43-year-old Donna lost the biggest amount. She got so excited about the job prospect that she realized only later that she had sent more than the original amount of Php62,000 that Jhon had asked for.

Donna said she first learned about the New Zealand job last March 29 from her longtime neighbour, Marla, who is a devout JIL member. Marla reportedly told her that Jhon was sending workers to New Zealand and that there was a last remaining slot in the batch that would be deployed next. Donna was persuaded to grab the opportunity.

Marla reportedly told Donna that all she had to pay was Php24,000 for the “red ribbon” (verification) of her work contract to start the ball rolling. Marla then introduced Jhon to Donna, saying he was with the Philippine embassy and could help obtain the verified contract.

Donna was then asked to send a copy of her passport, birth certificate and diploma online, and told that the additional fee of Php38,000 was being waived as a concession.

She said she initially sent Php8,000 through Alipay to the GCash account of Sales, number 09302216198, on March 29.

But the next day, Marla reportedly told Donna that she must still pay the Php38,000 that was supposedly waived, per Sana’s instruction.

The biggest remittance made by Donna to Sana

After she received her salary on March 31 Donna sent money thrice to the Maya wallet of Sana, number 09101660256. The first amounted to Php4,515; the second, Php11,500;  and the third was for P12,515.

Sana then told Donna she must send more money for enrolment as that was due that same day. Donna did as she was told, and remitted a further Php30,015 to Sana. However, he said no money got into his account and told her to send an additional Php13,275.

By this time, Donna had sent a total of Php79,820 (HK$10,400.00) to Sales and Sana, through their personal details provided by Jhon.

That same afternoon, Sana reportedly reached out to her and the two other victims, Marla and Trina, via a video call. Donna said she was out of the house and could barely understand what was going on because of the bad connection.

Later, she was shocked to discover that she could no longer see Sana’s account, making her realize that she had been scammed.

Donna said Marla and Trina had also sent money to Sana, but in smaller amounts. However, they learned through a chat group formed by other victims, that many other OFWs, including those working in Singapore, had fallen into the same trap.

One is said to have lost a total of Php190,000, all because of the mistaken trust she had placed on the man they thought would do no wrong as he had professed to be a man of faith.

 

 

Credit card spending spree sends Pinoy to District Court

 

Tuen Mun Court

A Filipino who found an American Express credit card may have thought little of it initially, but when he used the card to make purchases totaling $7,974 the next day, he fell into serious trouble with the law.

Serious enough for the Tuen Mun Magistrates Court to elevate his case of two counts of theft, contrary to section 9 of the Theft Ordinance, to the District Court.

Acting Principal Magistrate Daniel Tang remanded repairman Mark Dave Ballesteros, 34 years old, to jail after adjourning the case to May 7 at District Court.

Basahin ang detalye!

A police complaint accused Ballesteros of stealing the credit card belonging to Tsui Wing-sze on Oct. 3 last year.

The next day, he allegedly went on a shopping spree, spending $7,974 using the credit card, incurring debt for Tsui to American Express International, Inc.

HK finance officials to brief Filipinos on new money lending laws

 

The Filipino community in Hong Kong is invited to attend a briefing tomorrow, April 16, 2pm to 5pm, on the new regulations on money lending that are due to take effect on Aug 1 this year.

The orientation to be conducted by the Hong Kong Financial Services and Treasury Bureau (FSTB) will be held at the Narra Hall of the OFW Global Center on the 18^th floor of United Centre Building in Admiralty.

The Philippine Consulate General which is hosting the briefing, said the FSTB speakers will discuss specifics of the new measures meant to enhance regulation of money lenders.

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“Said information is intended to help safeguard vulnerable borrowers, including members of the Filipino community, from excessive borrowing and its attendant risks,” said the PCG.

A key amendment to the Money Lenders Ordinance restricts the monthly loan repayment of low-income earners, particularly foreign domestic workers, to between 35% and 40% of their monthly salary.

In addition, there will be a complete ban on using loan referees, which lawmakers say should reduce harassment by debt collectors, particularly of employers of absconding FDHs.

The amendments were passed following public consultations held from June to August last year.

To register participation in the briefing, please click on this link:  https://forms.gle/5apYVLBgnzcC1LKh8.

For inquiries or further assistance, you may email the Consulate’s Economic Diplomacy Section at this address:  hongkongpcg.economic@dfa.gov.ph.

 

3 latest beneficiaries of OFW Negosyo Fund get loans

 

Loan beneficiaries pose for photo with Department of Trade and Industry Secretary
Christina Roque, Small Business Corporation (SB Corp.) President Robert Bastillo,
and Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac

Three OFWs became the latest to receive loans under the OFW Negosyo Fund program of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

Given during the “Bagong Pilipinas Bayanihan para sa Balikbayang Manggagawa” National Reintegration Network (NRN) and Job Fair held at the QC M.I.C.E. Center at Quezon City Hall on April 6, the beneficiaries were Jonahlou Bilaro who received P100,000.00 for her Events Management Service, Marie Anduyon who was given P200,000.00 for a Water Refilling Station, and Dan Zeus Almarines who received P580,000.00 for the expansion of his pharmacy business.

DTI Secretary Christina Roque, Small Business Corporation (SB Corp.) President Robert Bastillo, and Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac led the distribution of the investments.

The OFW Negosyo Fund was launched on March 11, 2026, with a total funding of Php2 billion from SB Corp., to help OFWs who were forced to return home due to unforeseen circumstances to start or grow their own businesses.

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According to Secretary Roque, the program has a very low interest rate, no collateral required and a one-year grace period during which the principal or interest of the loan will not be charged, to give sufficient time for the business to grow.

Under the program, OFWs can borrow from ₱30,000 to ₱20 million,  with no collateral required for loans up to ₱5 million.

The loan can be repaid over a period of up to five years.

Eligible to borrow are returning or repatriated OFWs, including those displaced by global conflicts (such as the Middle East) and their immediate family members (who may apply on behalf of an OFW who is still overseas.

Loan applications can be submitted online through the SBCorp Money App (download from here: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ph.sbcorp.app.twa&hl=en&pli=1) or the web-based SBCorp Loan Portal (https://sbcorp.gov.ph/), or in-person at any of the 1,431 DTI Negosyo Centers nationwide, which provide for hands-on assistance and mentoring.

Communication key to dealing with job agencies

Improved communication prevents problems with employment agencies

If domestic helpers have much to complain about their employment agencies that placed them in jobs, employers have as much to complain about. In fact, over 100 complaints are filed by employers against them each year, according to the Consumer Council.

The primary responsibility of employment agencies is to handle procedures for bringing domestic helpers to Hong Kong. Problems that arise from this can be avoided by strengthened communication with both employers and helpers, it said.

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“This includes gaining a comprehensive understanding of prospective employers’ needs and domestic helpers’ experience and capabilities in order to make appropriate matching, as well as verifying domestic helpers’ information as far as practicable to fulfil their gatekeeping role,” the Council said.

In cases such as domestic helpers backing out, agencies should notify the employers as soon as possible and provide appropriate assistance, such as arranging substitute domestic helpers or refunds, to enhance consumer confidence, it added.

However, as some agencies require payment of sums ranging from $14,000 to $16,000, which constitutes acceptance of the terms and arrangements, employers should not rush into paying.

“They should carefully read the service agreement or contract before the transaction to understand the refund policy and the terms and conditions for replacing domestic helpers, so as to safeguard their rights,” it added

The Council will continue to closely monitor industry developments and reflect consumers’ concerns to traders in a timely manner, with a view to encouraging service quality enhancement.

Pinay DH reports losing P100k to online ‘scratch and win’’scammers

 

Screenshot of the Facebook page used to entice many of the HK victims

A Filipina domestic helper has reported losing around Php100k to a “scratch and win lottery” scammers that entice victims through live streaming on Facebook, and apparently targets migrant workers.

Loida, 48 years old, said she was encouraged to buy “scratch cards” after seeing the live broadcast on “Scratch Win Live” by the scammers who do not show their faces on screen but can be heard rallying people to join and continuously jotting down the supposed winnings of participants.

Loida said she saw a number of posts in the comments section saying they had received their prizes, which assured her that the lottery was “legit.”

Basahin ang detalye!

At first she was told that all she had to pay was HK$220 to the GCash account of someone named “Jeraldine Dela Fuente Sanquez” to get 40 cards that would be scratched to reveal hidden prizes denominated in US dollars.

But after a number of her cards were scratched and her supposed winnings reached more than Php1million, Loida was told she needed to pay the full price of HK$2000 before they could proceed further.

Believing that she had already hit the jackpot but wanted more, Loida readily paid the balance of K$1,780 (Php13,740) to the GCash account of “Jibmmy Saruce Sugeta”.

Not long after, her supposed winnings hit more than Php3 million and Loida was told she needed to use a code to get into a Telegram chat to learn how she could collect her winnings.

On the Telegram app, Loida was informed through chat that she needed to pay a processing fee of Php39,819 to one Justine Carlbuce through the GCash account number +63 9560083207 before she could collect her prize. She immediately complied.

The scammers could only be heard, not seen

But after sending the money, she received a notification with the heading “New York State Gaming Commission” telling her that she needed to pay a “currency conversion fee” as she had asked that her prize money which was in peso be deposited to her Hong Kong bank account.

The amount she was asked to pay this time was Php42,217, to be credited to the GCash account of one Berlinda Z. Cabulao, number +63 9456216542. Though getting wary, Loida did as she was told.

This was after she was shown a message to one Mary Grace supposedly from BDO informing her that her winning of Php1.66 million had already been deposited to her account.

Loida eventually came to her senses when told that she needed to pay another Php72,000 for supposedly sending the wrong code.

'Wrong code' notification

She blew her top and warned that she would inform the NBI about the scam, but was just brushed off. Each time she tried to post a comment on their wall to warn others about the scam, it would be immediately deleted.

To this day, she said she is able to access the page, as well as new ones they have created to continue defrauding people, but all her pleas and threats to get her money back are being ignored.

“Gusto kong isuplong ang mga scammer na ito dahil hindi lang ako ang biktima,” (I want to complain against these scammers because I am not the only victim), Loida told the assistance to nationals section of the Migrant Workers Office.

Indeed, there have been others who were enticed to pay at least HK$2,000 to the gang, most of them Hong Kong-based domestic helpers, according to Maria, who was the only one who managed to stop after sending the initial amount of HK$220.

Maria said that while the scammers claim to be operating in Kowloon Tong, this could not be independently verified, meaning they could actually be based in the Philippines which would explain why the money is always sent to GCash accounts there.

A new Facebook page but the same modus operandi

Maria has gathered a number of the victims after seeing them post on the live feed expressing their interest in joining the scratch scam. Unfortunately all of them had already paid HK$2000 each before she could stop them.

According to Maria, some of the victims had used money they were supposed to use to pay off loans in paying the scammers. Loida herself said she had set aside the money she lost to the scammers for her child’s upcoming graduation.

What’s more sad is that this was not the first time Loida had been scammed. About six years ago she was enticed to put HK$40,000 into an investment scheme offered by a person she had treated as kin. The fellow domestic helper who shared her surname disappeared after moving with her employer to a new home without telling her.

 

 

Pinay jailed 12 months for ATM used in money laundering

 

A domestic helper who claimed she threw away her ATM card that ended up being used for money laundering, was jailed for 12 months after pleading guilty at Easterm Court to dealing with property known or believed to represent proceeds of indictable offence

Chery Morbo, 31 years old, had reported to police that her HSBC account, opened in August 2024, was used for laundering $132,100 after five deposits and nine withdrawals were reported to her by her bank over a five-day period.

She was arrested four months later and had been in remand for four months.

PINDUTIN ITO PARA SA DETALYE

In sentencing, Principal Magistrate David Cheung set a starting point of 18 months’ jail and deducted one-third as a discount for her guilty plea.

Morbo was charged with violating sections 25 (1) and 25 (3) of the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance, because $132,100 in crime money passed though her bank account between Feb. 17 and 22, 2025.

 “This is a case of being taken advantage of,” her lawyer said. He said she did not operate the account and there was no evidence she knew the predicate offense (from which the money was derived by persons unknown).

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Still, he said, she was remorseful for the crime, and was aware that this ended her work opportunity in Hong Kong.

After graduating from college with an economics degree, she worked in Jordan and Saudi Arabia before coming to Hong Kong.

Pinay gets 3 month jail for stealing watch, 2 Octopus cards and using them

 

The employers lived in this neighborhood (Google Maps photo)

A Filipina who stole a watch and two Octopus cards owned by her employer’s child and used them three times for purchases, was jailed for three months today after pleading guilty to six counts of theft at Eastern Court.

J. Acaton, 26 years old, was actually sentenced by Principal Magistrate David Cheung to two months for the five charges related to the theft and use of the Octopus card, which he ordered to run concurrently, and one month for the theft of the watch.

In addition, he ordered her to compensate her employer $81.80, representing the value of goods she  bought with the Octopus card.

PINDUTIN ITO PARA SA DETALYE

According to the complaint filed by Police, Acaton was was charged with theft, contrary to section 9 of the Theft Ordinance, after she stole one child Octopus card between Feb. 16 and 28, 2026 in their flat at Crown Terrace, Pokfulam.

She stole another Child Octopus card during the same period at the same place.

She then used the Octopus cards in making purchases of $19.90 at PARKnSHOP in Tin Wan 17 Shopping Centre in Aberdeen on feb. 20, HK$38.9 on Feb. 23 at the same store, and $23 at a McDonald’s at Tin Wan, Aberdeen on Feb. 26.

Basahin ang detalye!

Acaton also stole one Skmei Watch worth $300 on Feb. 28 at the employers’ flat.

Meanwhile, at Kowloon City Court, A.M. Valle, 59 years old, was sentenced to two weeks, suspended for 12 months, after she pleaded guilty to theft.

She admitted stealing four red packets containing $140 in cash, the property of Wong Kwan Yiu at their flat at Harbour Place, Hung Hom. Kowloon on Feb. 21.

 

Police look for Filipina DH suspected of $100k theft

Beverly Villa in Kowloon Tong (Centaline photo)

A 41-year-old Filipina domestic helper has been reported as missing, along with some $100,000 cash belonging to her 98-year-old employer.

According to reports, the employer surnamed Yeung called up the police at 4:57pm on April 11 and claimed the cash had gone missing from her flat at Beverly Villa in Kowloon Tong.

PINDUTIN ITO PARA SA DETALYE

Officers who went to the residence reportedly suspected the helper who was living there and had disappeared, had taken the money.

The case has been classified as theft and police are looking for the helper.

Basahin ang detalye!

When asked about the supposedly missing Filipina, officers at the Philippine Consulate General said they have yet to receive a report from the police about the case.

2 theft charges land DH in jail custody

 

West Kowloon Court

A domestic helper has been remanded in jail until the hearing of the two theft charges against her after West Kowloon's principal magistrate adjourned the case to June 10.

PINDUTIN ITO PARA SA DETALYE

Elizabeth Padre, 55 years old, is scheduled for plea by Principal Magistrate Don So on two counts of theft, contrary to section 9 of the Theft Ordinance.

Basahin ang detalye!

In a complaint filed by Police, Padre was accused of stealing an assortment of jewelry and cash of $4,000,; which are the property of he employer Lal Yee-sin Kimedonia, betwoon May 12, 2022 and Oct. 23, 2025 at their flat in Rhine Garden, Sham Tseng, Tsuen Wan.

The second case of theft arose after she allegedly stole another assortment of jewellery and cash of $25,000 between May 12 and Oct. 23, 2025.

Consequences of overstaying, starting a business

 

Two Filipinos facing breach of condition of stay charges – one for overstaying and another for establishing a food business – had contrasting endings to their cases after they pleaded guilty on Friday at the Shatin Court.

PINDUTIN ITO PARA SA DETALYE

Gener Gordolan, 38 years old and an asylum seeker, was jailed for 12 weeks after pleading guilty to breach of condition of stay, contrary to section 41 of the Immigration Ordinance.

Acting Principal Magistrate Cheang Kei-hong set a starting point of 18 weeks imprisonment as penalty but gave him a one-third discount for his guilty plea.

Basahin ang detalye!

A complaint fled by the Immigration department said Gordolan overstayed his visa for almost four years, from Sept. 11, 2021 to Aug.  19, 2025.

He was permitted to land in Hong Kong as a tourist by an Immigration assistant by virtue of section 11 of the Immigration Ordinance and given two weeks to stay.

A domestic helper, E. Valdez, 49 years old, got off lightly when her charge of breach of condition of stay was withdrawn after she accepted a bind-over agreement under which she need not be punished if she does not reoffend for 12 months.

Otherwise, she will be fined $ 1,000.

She was charged after she was arrested in July 6, 2025 for selling food in Central.

Her condition of stay was that she must only take employment approved by the Director of Immigration, which is to work as a domestic helper for Tang Kit Mui at the address specified in their employment contract.

15 persons arrested in latest anti-illegal work raids

 

Those arrested included 12 suspected illegal workers 

Two recognizance paper holders seeking asylum in a third country were among 15 people arrested last week in the latest anti-illegal work sweep by the Immigration Department. 

Of those arrested, 12 – six men and six women - are suspected of having worked illegally. The remaining three, aged 34 to 46, are believed to have acted as employers.

PINDUTIN ITO PARA SA DETALYE

The operations which were carried out from April 2 to 9 targeted multiple locations including restaurants, warehouses and massage parlors.

A statement issued by Immigration said an investigation of the suspected employers is continuing, and the possibility of further arrests cannot be ruled out.

Basahin ang detalye!

The statement also warned all employers not to defy the law by employing illegal workers.

“The ImmD will continue to take resolute enforcement action to combat such offences,” said the statement.

Employers are subject to a maximum fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for up to 10 years.

Sentencing guidelines make it the employer’s duty to take all practicable steps to determine whether a person is lawfully employable prior to employment.

Apart from inspecting the jobseeker’s identity card, the employer has the explicit duty to make inquiries regarding the person and ensure that the answers do not cast any reasonable doubt as to the applicant’s employability.

In the statement, Immigration also warned that engaging in illegal work is a serious offence in Hong Kong, for which the maximum sentence is two years’ imprisonment and a fine of $50,000.

If the offender is a recognizance paper holder subject to removal or deportation, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land, the maximum jail term is three years.

Further, the Chief Executive may issue a deportation order against an immigrant who has been sentenced to imprisonment for not less than two years, which carries with it a permanent ban on the offender.