Hong Kong Customs combats unfair trade practices at beauty parlour

     Hong Kong Customs today (November 12) arrested two female staff members of a beauty parlour suspected of applying a false trade description to the service offered to be supplied, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).

     Customs earlier received information alleging that female staff members of a beauty parlour in Mong Kok made a false claim to a customer that her accompanying friend had agreed to procure a discounted beauty treatment for two persons at a price two times higher than that was initially agreed.

     After investigation, Customs officers today arrested two women aged 25 and 46.

     Investigation is ongoing and the arrested women 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 person who applies a false trade description to a service offered to be 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).