Hong Kong Customs yesterday (May 29) arrested a male director of a dance centre suspected of applying a false trade description in the course of sale of a dancing course, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).
Customs earlier received information alleging that a dance centre made a false claim to a customer that a set of uniform would be provided for free upon enrolment for a particular dancing course. After the customer had paid for the course, the centre stated that the promotion had expired and requested the customer to pay for the set of uniform.
After investigation, Customs officers yesterday arrested a 37-year-old man.
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/Thursday, May 30, 2019