Hong Kong Customs combats unfair trade practices at money changer

     Hong Kong Customs today (April 18) arrested a male director of a money changer suspected of having applied a false trade description to the remittance service supplied, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).

     Customs earlier received information alleging that two branches of a money changer in Sham Shui Po and Cheung Sha Wan made false claims to customers that they would remit money to bank accounts designated by customers, but then failed to provide the service accordingly.

     After investigation, Customs officers today arrested a 47-year-old man.

     Investigation is ongoing and the arrested man 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 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).