Hong Kong Customs today (March 28) arrested a female director of a nail parlour suspected to have wrongly accepted payment, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).
Customs earlier received information alleging that a chain nail parlour had closed down its branches in Mong Kok and Lai Chi Kok suddenly, and was unable to provide nail beautifying and beauty services after having accepted payments from customers, as well as having failed to return the payments to customers.
After investigation, Customs officers arrested a 61-year-old woman today.
Investigation is ongoing and the 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 commits an offence if at the time of acceptance of payment, the trader intends not to supply the product or intends to supply a materially different product, or there are no reasonable grounds for believing that the trader will be able to supply the product within a specified or reasonable period. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years. The management staff will also be liable if the offence is committed with their consent or connivance or is attributed to their neglect.
Members of the public may report any suspected violations of the TDO to the Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182.
Ends/Wednesday, March 28, 2018