Hong Kong Customs today (September 14) arrested a male director of an education centre suspected of having applied a false trade description to the service supplied, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).
Customs earlier received information alleging that an education centre arranged a travel tour bound for Thailand and claimed that it would be undertaken by a designated travel agent.
After investigation, it was found that the tour was not undertaken by the travel agent. Customs officers today arrested a 39-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 customer 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/Friday, September 14, 2018