Hong Kong Customs today (November 11) arrested a salesperson of a medicine shop suspected to have applied a false trade description in the course of selling a proprietary medicine in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).
Customs earlier received information alleging that a salesman of a medicine shop in Jordan was suspected of making a false claim in the course of selling medicine by saying that it was a particular brand of medicine. However, the customer later found that the medicine was not the brand specified by him. After investigation, Customs officers today arrested at the medicine shop a 53-year-old salesman suspected to be connected with the case.
An 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 purchase products at reputable shops.
Under the TDO, any person who, in the course of any trade or business, applies a false trade description to any goods 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, November 11, 2022