Three women were fined $8,000 to $10,000 today for operating illegal guesthouses in Mong Kok and Tsim Sha Tsui.

The cases came to light when Office of the Licensing Authority staff posed as lodgers and rented rooms at unlicensed guesthouses in Shanghai Street, Sai Yeung Choi Street South and Kimberly Road in February.

The Home Affairs Department says operating or managing an unlicensed guesthouse is a criminal offence that can lead to a maximum fine of $200,000 and two years' imprisonment.