Hong Kong Customs today (April 20) arrested a female staff member of a beauty parlour suspected of engaging in aggressive commercial practices in the course of selling beauty treatment, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).
Customs earlier received information alleging that a staff member of a beauty parlour in Tsim Sha Tsui imposed undue influence in selling beauty treatment to a customer who was forced to procure a beauty treatment valued at $22,000. After investigation, Customs officers today arrested a 32-year-old woman. Investigation is ongoing and the arrested person 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 of engaging in aggressive commercial practices if harassment, coercion or undue influence is used to impair the consumer's freedom of choice or conduct, causing the consumer to make a transactional decision. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.
Members of the public may report any suspected violation of the TDO to Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182.
Ends/Thursday, April 20, 2017