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Chinese Student Jailed for Buying Fake TOEFL Certificate

2/2/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Huang Xinyi, a 22-year-old mainland Chinese student, was sentenced by the Tuen Mun Court to three months in jail.
She admitted paying US$300 for a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) certificate without taking the exam.
The certificates were submitted to Lingnan University in Hong Kong to satisfy graduation requirements.
Magistrate David Chum urged a deterrent sentence amid rising dishonesty and unfairness to honest students.

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Story summary

Huang Xinyi, a 22-year-old mainland Chinese student, was sentenced by the Tuen Mun Court to three months in jail.
She admitted paying US$300 for a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) certificate without taking the exam.
The certificates were submitted to Lingnan University in Hong Kong to satisfy graduation requirements.
Magistrate David Chum urged a deterrent sentence amid rising dishonesty and unfairness to honest students.