Police and the Immigration Department arrested four people during a joint operation targeting suspected illegal-worker activity in East Kowloon on 22 September 2026. Officers carried out surprise searches at several crime black spots across the region.
Those arrested were one mainland Chinese man, two mainland Chinese women and one Vietnamese man, aged between 39 and 55. Police said the group were suspected of breaching conditions of stay, using false documents and committing other offences. All four remained detained for investigation.
Section 38AA of Hong Kong’s Immigration Ordinance bars people who entered illegally, have overstayed, have been refused entry or are subject to certain removal or deportation orders from taking paid or unpaid employment, running a business or participating in one.
A person convicted under that provision can face a maximum fine of HK$50,000 and three years’ imprisonment. Employers who hire someone unable to work legally in those circumstances can face a maximum fine of HK$500,000 and 10 years’ imprisonment on conviction.
Police said they would continue working closely with relevant departments and take decisive enforcement action against illegal-worker activities. They also warned employers not to breach the law.