Hong Kong Customs on March 14 and 18 arrested two directors and a salesperson of two beauty parlours suspected of having applied false trade descriptions to beauty services supplied, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).

     Customs earlier received information alleging that staff members of two beauty parlours in Shek Mun and Kwun Tong had falsely claimed to provide beauty services with a particular brand of beauty device for consumers, but the beauty devices used in the treatment were in fact not manufactured by the said brand manufacturer.

     After in-depth investigations, Customs officers disguised as customers were dispatched to conduct test-buy operations on March 14 and 18 respectively. It was found that the staff members concerned were suspected of applying false trade descriptions in the sale of a beauty service, in contravention of the TDO. Three women, aged 36 to 40, were arrested. An investigation is ongoing and the arrested persons have 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) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Ends/Friday, March 22, 2024
Issued at HKT 12:12

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