Hong Kong Customs today (October 24) arrested a male proprietor and a female staff member of a training centre suspected of having committed an offence of applying a false trade description under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).
Customs earlier received a complaint alleging a course organised by a training centre was accredited by a United Kingdom regulatory body, but after investigation, such accreditation was not confirmed. The training centre was suspected to have committed an offence of applying a false trade description under the TDO.
After initial investigation, Customs officers arrested the 42-year-old male proprietor and 51-year-old female staff member today. The case is still under investigation and the arrested persons have been put on bail.
Under the TDO, a trader commits an offence under the TDO if he or she applies false trade descriptions to a service supplied to a consumer; or if he or she supplies to a customer a service to which a false trade description is applied. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.
Customs reminded traders to comply with the statutory requirements of the TDO. During the course of sale of services, they should state all relevant information to consumers in a clear and accurate manner and shall not apply false trade descriptions to mislead consumers.
Members of the public may report suspected cases in violation of the TDO to the C&ED by calling the 24-hour hotline 2545 6182.
Ends/Monday, October 24, 2016