Honglian Cheng and Li Hua, also, known as Lilly, used a popular free instant messaging computer program, Tencent QQ, which was based in China, the indictment stated.
Honglian Cheng and Li Hua have been separately arrested in the commonwealth by federal authorities.
They are under the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service, and detained at the CNMI Department of Corrections facility.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Schuler filed the indictment.
U.S. Homeland Security Investigations special agent Isra Harahap was the case agent.
Honglian Cheng and Li Hua were charged with one count of foreign labor contracting fraud conspiracy; counts two to seven of foreign labor contracting fraud; counts eight for alien smuggling conspiracy; counts nine to 14 for alien smuggling; count 15 for importation of alien for prostitution conspiracy; and counts 16 to 18 for importation of alien for prostitution.
Six individuals, also Chinese nationals, were involved in the case. They have been arrested by federal authorities early this month.
They have been turned over to duly authorized immigration official for deportation proceedings after they separately admitted the charge of improper entry of an alien. The federal court sentenced each defendant for time served.
The six individuals were paroled as tourists, but were seeking employment in the commonwealth.
According to the indictment, “QQ” refers to a popular free instant messaging computer program based out of the People’s Republic of China, and which is formally known as Tencent QQ. Among other things, QQ allows users to communicate with other users online. QQ is one of the world’s largest online communities, with over 600 million active users.
According to its website, Tencent, which was founded in Nov. 1998, has grown into one of China’s largest and most used Internet service portal. Since its establishment over the last decade, Tencent has maintained steady growth under its user-oriented operating strategies. On June 16, 2004, Tencent Holdings Limited (SEHK 700) went public on the main board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
The indictment stated that foreign labor contracting fraud conspiracy occurred from May 12, 2011 to June 3, 2011.
The indictment said Honglian Cheng and Li Hua “acted together and with others to bring six Chinese nationals to the CNMI for work” on May 30, 2011.
Li Hua found and recruited the six tourists, while Honglian Cheng made arrangements to send them to the commonwealth, the indictment stated.
They were promised a work visa after arrival, guaranteed employment, and salaries over $800 per month.
Four of them each paid $4,600; another paid 30,000 Chinese yuan, or $4,600, and the rest each paid 95,000 Chinese yuan or $14,600.
Some or all of these fees were received by or paid to defendants Honglian Cheng and Li Hua, the indictment stated.
The indictment added that some of the six individuals and a defendant worked as prostitutes in Bahrain. They left Bahrain for China and began seeking employment elsewhere.
Some of the tourists were brought to a farm in As Lito, while the others went to a karaoke bar in Susupe, “and inquired whether prostitutes worked at the karaoke bar.”
Honglian Cheng and Li Hua will be arraigned in the U.S. District Court for the NMI tomorrow, June 30.
