Hong Kong Customs today (April 13) arrested a proprietor and a stylist of a hair salon suspected of having applied a false trade description to hairdressing service, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).
Customs earlier received information alleging that a hair salon in Tsuen Wan district had made a false claim in relation to the price of its hairdressing service. The hair salon had charged a customer a price that was double the price stated on the price list after providing the hairdressing service.
After investigation, Customs officers today arrested a 64-year-old female proprietor and a 51-year-old male stylist of the salon.
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. Consumers should procure services at reputable traders and be clear about the price before making a transactional decision.
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/Tuesday, April 13, 2021