Hong Kong Customs today (July 6) arrested a female manager of a beauty parlour suspected of having applied false trade descriptions to the service supplied and engaging in unfair trade practices involving misleading omission in the sale of a service, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).
Customs earlier received information alleging that the female staff member of a beauty parlour in Tsim Sha Tsui claimed that the service package could be shared with others and the service could be carried out by a designated staff member. She also did not provide information that the service was to be provided at a designated branch only, misleading the consumer to procure the service. After investigation, Customs officers today arrested a 39-year-old woman. Investigation is ongoing and the arrested woman 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 or engages in a commercial practice that omits or hides material information and as a result causes, or is likely to cause, an average consumer to make a transactional decision 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 the Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182.
Ends/Thursday, July 6, 2017