​Hong Kong Customs today (January 13) arrested a male director of an education centre suspected of having made false claims on the children's training courses he provided, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).
Customs earlier received a complaint from a member of the public against an education centre in Yuen Long. After investigation, it was revealed that in the sale of a children's training course, the education centre claimed that the course was authorised by a foreign education institute, which was contrary to the fact.
Customs officers today arrested a 42-year-old male director of the education centre concerned.
An investigation is ongoing and the arrested man has been released on bail pending further investigation.
Customs reminds traders to comply with the requirements of the TDO and consumers to procure services at reputable shops.
Under the TDO, any trader who applies a false trade description to a service supplied or offered to be supplied to a consumer commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.
Members of the public may report any suspected violations of the TDO to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).
Ends/Thursday, January 13, 2022