Hong Kong Customs combats unfair trade practices at private detective agency

     Hong Kong Customs today (June 3) arrested a salesperson of a private detective agency suspected of applying a false trade description in the course of sale of detective services, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).

     Customs earlier received information alleging that a salesperson of a private detective agency made a false claim to a customer – that individual global positioning system services for tracking the location of a specific target could be provided. After the customer had paid for the services, the detective agency could not provide such services.

     After investigation, Customs officers today arrested a 48-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 the Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).