Why Were False “Permanent Departure” MPF Claims Rising?

What Was the New Trend?

The MPFA found rising cases of members falsely claiming permanent departure from Hong Kong to withdraw MPF early — some repeating the same excuse twice. Over 2,000 such applications arrived monthly; 55 people made false oaths last year and 47 more in January–November this year, including repeat offenders.

How Were They Caught?

The MPFA kept a register of early-withdrawal cases and cross-checked every trustee application against it, prosecuting duplicates. The law allows the permanent-departure ground only once, and claimants must swear an oath stating it is their first claim.

How Heavy Were the Penalties?

Under the MPF Ordinance, providing false information carries up to a $100,000 fine and one year’s imprisonment. Repeat claimants were mostly aged 30 to 40, reapplying years after their first withdrawal on the same ground.