Hong Kong Customs today (February 28) arrested a male owner of a renovation company suspected of having applied a false trade description to the renovation service supplied, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).

     Customs earlier received information alleging that a male owner of a renovation company had made a false claim that his renovation company was a registered electrical contractor and a registered minor works contractor.

     After investigation, Customs officers today arrested a 52-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 consumer 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/Thursday, February 28, 2019
Issued at HKT 16:20

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