Hong Kong Customs today (October 27) arrested a male owner of a car beauty service centre suspected to have wrongly accepted payment, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).

     Customs earlier received information alleging that a car beauty service centre in Tai Po had closed down suddenly and was unable to provide the relevant services after accepting payments, as well as failing to return the payments to customers.  

     After investigation, Customs officers today arrested a 40-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 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.

     Members of the public may report any suspected violations of the TDO to the Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182.

Ends/Friday, October 27, 2017
Issued at HKT 14:50

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