Hong Kong Customs today (March 27) further arrested a male director of a travel agency suspected to have wrongly accepted payment, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).
Customs earlier received information alleging that a travel agency in Yau Ma Tei had closed down suddenly and was unable to provide relevant travel package services after accepting payments and had failed to return the payments to customers.
After investigation, Customs officers today further arrested a 43-year-old man.
Customs earlier arrested the 46-year-old male person-in-charge and director as well as the 54-year-old female director of the travel agency.
Investigation is ongoing and all 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 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. The management staff will also be liable if the offence is committed with their consent or connivance or is attributed to their neglect.
Members of the public may report any suspected violations of the TDO to the Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182.
Ends/Tuesday, March 27, 2018