Mainland Chinese sues Hongkongers over forged Guinea-Bissau passport

A mainland businesswoman claims she has been cheated of US$46,500 after entering into a written agreement with a local company to help her apply for Guinea-Bissau citizenship.

According to a High Court writ, Li Jinghan went to the West African country's embassy in Beijing to get what she believed was an approved certificate of citizenship and passport. But when she entered Hong Kong and then left the city on her new passport, she was arrested by immigration officers for using forged documents.

The woman, whose businesses include fast-food restaurants, natural gas and construction on the mainland, is suing local middlemen Lim Ying-ying and Lim Tsz-foon for the US$45,600 application fee she paid and legal fees of HK$309,500.

In August last year, Li completed an application form under foreign investment programme provisions and handed the form to Lim Ying-ying for processing.

According to the court document, Guinea-Bissau's interior ministry issued Li with a letter of attestation, informing her the application had been approved.

One of the Lims later accompanied Li and her husband to the embassy, where she received an identity card, a passport and a certificate of citizenship.