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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1974
WARNING AGAINST IMMIGRATION IMPERSONATORS
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MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WERE TODAY WARNED AGAINST PERSONS POSING AS IMMIGRATION OFFICERS AND OFFERING TO REGULARISE THEIR IMMIGRATION STATUS ON PAYMENT OF A FEE.
THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION, MR. MARTIN ROWLANDS, SAID HE HAD RECEIVED REPORTS RECENTLY THAT PERSONS CLAIMING TO BE OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT HAD BEEN VISITING PEOPLE'S HOMES AND SOLICITING MONEY FOR SERVICES.
NO OFFICER OF THE DEPARTMENT HAS AUTHORITY TO ACT IN THIS CAPACITY, HE STRESSED.
+UNDER SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES, USUALLY CONNECTED WITH AN INVESTIGATION INTO CASES OF ILLEGAL ENTRY OR OVERSTAYING, AN IMMIGRATION OFFICER MAY CALL AT THE HOUSE OR PLACE OF WORK OF AN INDIVIDUAL, BUT HE IS NOT AUTHORISED TO COLLECT ANY PAYMENTS ON BEHALF OF THE DEPARTMENT, HE SAID.
MR. ROWLANDS POINTED OUT THAT ALL IMMIGRATION OFFICERS WERE ISSUED WITH A WARRANT CARD DEARING THE OFFICER'S NAME, RANK, PHOTOGRAPH AND WARRANT CARD NUMBER.
ON THE REVERSE SIDE OF THE CARD IS A STATEMENT, IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE, SIGNED BY THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION, STATING THAT THE BEARER +IS A MEMBER OF THE IMMIGRATION SERVICE, HONG KONG, AND IS DULY APPOINTED IN THE RANK STATED AND IS ENTITLED TO EXERCISE THE POWERS VESTED IN HIS OFFICE BY LAW.+
THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION ADVISED THE PUBLIC THAT THEY SHOULD ASK ANY CALLER WHO CLAIMS TO BE AN IMMIGRATION OFFICER TO PRODUCE HIS WARRANT CARD DEFORE PERMITTING HIM INTO THE HOUSE.
+IF YOU ARE NOT SATISFIED THAT THE CALLER IS A BONAFIDE MEMBER OF THE IMMIGRATION SERVICE, OR IF ANY REQUEST FOR MONEY IS MADE, YOU SHOULD IMMEDIATELY TELEPHONE THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR AT TELEPHONE NO..5-456065 EXT. 202, OR THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR AT TELEPHONE NO. 5-456065 EXT. 204, FÖR ADVICE, HE SAID.
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