Hong Kong Customs today (August 24) arrested a salesman of an employment agency company suspected of having applied false trade descriptions to the employment agency services supplied in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).
Customs earlier received information alleging that a salesperson of an employment agency company had made false claims to customers in the sale of employment agency services. The salesperson claimed that the company had been granted an employment agency licence and that the employment agency services to customers would be supplied by the company. Upon initial investigation, it was revealed that both claims were contrary to the facts.
After a follow-up investigation, Customs officers today arrested a 69-year-old man.
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 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/Monday, August 24, 2020