Hong Kong Customs yesterday (December 13) arrested a woman suspected of having applied false trade descriptions to employment agency services supplied, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).
Customs earlier received information alleging that a woman had claimed that she was an employee of a licensed employment agency and could arrange for relatives and friends of a foreign domestic helper to come and work in Hong Kong. After receiving a fee of about $36,000, the woman further claimed that the relevant work application procedures had been carried out accordingly.
Upon initial investigation, Customs revealed that the woman was suspected to have made false claims which were contrary to the facts. Customs yesterday arrested the 45-year-old woman, who 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, December 14, 2020