A 36-year-old Filipino maid pleaded guilty in the Eastern Magistrates’ Court on Thursday to selling fake Nike shoes in Central on Hong Kong Island and breaching the conditions of stay. She was sentenced to six weeks in jail, suspended for a year.
Geraldine Hurboda, who came to Hong Kong in July 2016 to work as a domestic helper for a family on Caine Road in the Mid-Levels, was arrested by a plain clothes customs officer while trying to sell eight pairs of fake Nike shoes near St Joseph’s Church on Garden Road, sunwebhk.com reported.
The court heard that the officer watched for a few minutes as Hurboda laid the shoes on the pavement for buyers before arresting her. Hurboda lost her job after the arrest.
Her defense lawyer said Hurboda admitted her offenses and added that she did it because she wanted to send money to her ailing mother. The lawyer read a letter from Hurboda, which said she was remorseful and was hoping to get another job in Hong Kong.
Her former employer also sent a letter attesting to her good character. The judge imposed a two-week sentence for selling fake goods and six weeks for breaching her condition of stay. Both sentences were to be served concurrently, but were suspended for 12 months.
if we (philippine government) should apply such kind of law, and arresting all chinese selling fake or imitated goods, there would be no more chinese roaming around, all of them are in prison…
My God!!! What’s wrong with you people??? The thing is? This woman have misused her permit visa in HK!! Domestic helpers are cleared and gone orientation even before leaving the Philippines that HK have strict rules for any maids to do any other work but just stated in their contract. Anybody are restricted to what visa they are granted. Pls respect that and HK are a good country only most are coming to HK and think they could do what they do to their own country!! Disrespectful!! Buying or selling fake goods are no different from stealing ang trying to benefit from it!!! Many high brands spend a lot of money to make their names known and famous!! Not so people steal and sell their product without permission!! Honourable people do not use or support counterfeit product!!
Bea S Buster its not just because she sells fake goods but under the law foreign domestic workers are not allowed to work other jobs outside their contract. She is lucky she only got 1 yr suspension not black listed.
The issue is not the fake shoes. It was just described what she did. The main concern is breaching the contract. Before coming here we are aware already & in the contract it is stated that we cannot do any other work than our employer nor working in other place than our employers address. It is a law here in hk since then. Follow the law if u don’t want to make trouble. A lot of illegal sellers good thing they are not caught yet. They know the law but some are ignoring it. Respect HK law. Do what is right. Don’t blame the police or customs they implement the law. That’s the nice side here Law is Law!!! Abide thier immigration law!!!
Bitter
on line u get all fake shoes and I phone all so they add on Facebook . and they gave ther no. u can cell and meet tham and pick up. the Chinese people are delivered.
yes I stay I. hk about 25 years .and I seen every Sunday so many Pakistani man are selling al item are fake. whey the Chinese authority never arrest tham? if anyone want to see go saturday and Sunday and see near world wide in central.
The police should question the filipina where did she buy those fake shoes , then arrest the one who is the real culprit..
I know I buy and anyone can be understand easily. Some other matter is involved In it reallyfeel bad for lady she was framed in it
I saw a lot of people selling fake items here in hk .But not every one get arrested .I hope hk law will give her another chance to work again as a helper.
It is not about the amount or the quality of goods she is selling. It is about the law. We came here to work legally. Do not make poverty as an excuse to do what is against the law. And do not question why and how? If others are doing it, do you really have to do it, too? Always remember that it is better to have half or less of something else than to lose the whole.
Naseer Qureshi ,,if u will be a woman and u work thousands km away frm ur family and u work almost 24hrs a day,,and back there 7 to 8 person’s wait ur salary to come and then they will have food,,by working tht hard still the money is not enough then u will know why she sell fake or buy…..don’t question or judge,,if u don’t know the matter..there r thousands illegal thing’s happening in hk,,which I can show u or just look around……
Don’t forget dude whatever it’s hk or macau but it’s still republic of China .all fake everywhere.but my ans is not for Filipino or any Indian or any nationality it’s a bout poor ladies who have very smal salary
Steve Goodla
Bea S Buster said you’re MORON and IDIOT.. Me????????????????????????
exactly
Illegal hawker!..not b’coz of fake nike
Steve Goodlay Moron.
Who says it’s not the law.
If you are arresting people selling fake goods, perhaps make it a blanket law.
The country sells knock-off merchandise as well.
You high or something? Clearly, the issue here is past your comprehension.
If she was selling because she didn’t have a permit, then that’s a different story, you idiot.
thinking not a Pinay strong point. a business would be too much work. they may have to put downtheir cell phone
You know it as theyonly have pussy to offer and give it up immediately.
not known for their intellect