Hong Kong Customs arrested two former directors of an online household product store yesterday (April 24) on suspicion of engaging in wrongly accepting payments when selling products, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).

     The online household product store, operated by two companies, abruptly announced its closure earlier this month. As of 8am today (April 25), Customs had received a total of 451 complaints against the online store concerned. Complainants reported making prepaid orders for various household goods, including clothing, beauty products, health food and masks, but failing to receive the goods or obtain refunds from the shop. The total amount involved in the case is approximately $400,000, with the largest individual case amounting to around $20,000.

     Customs officers took enforcement action yesterday and arrested a male former director from each of the two companies. The two former directors, aged 33 and 38, are currently released on bail pending further investigation. 
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     Customs has all along been concerned about illegal online sales activities. It has strived to combat unfair trade practices on websites to protect consumers' interests.
      
     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 of five years.
      
     Customs reminds traders to comply with the requirements of the TDO and refrain from engaging in unfair trade practices when supplying goods.
      
     Consumers should stay vigilant in regard to online shopping. They should procure products at reputable shops and keep the transaction receipts and related records, which can become the basic information in case a complaint is lodged in the future. Moreover, customers could choose payment methods such as "cash on delivery" or "pay deposit first and then pay the balance" when ordering goods on the Internet.
      
     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) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (April 25) that Yue Kwong Road Sports Centre in Southern District will be temporarily closed from May 1 for refurbishment works, which are expected to be completed in late October. During the closure period, the public may use similar facilities at Aberdeen Sports Centre, Ap Lei Chau Sports Centre, Stanley Sports Centre, Wong Chuk Hang Sports Centre and Aberdeen Tennis and Squash Centre in the same district.

     For the most up-to-date closure schedules of the above leisure and sports facilities, the public may refer to the notices at the venue or contact venue staff at 2554 9132.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (April 25) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Big Wave Bay Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island, and Hap Mun Bay Beach in Sai Kung District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at these beaches.

     The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) today (April 25) announced an adjustment to the auto-LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) ceiling prices for dedicated LPG filling stations from May 1 to May 31, 2024, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contracts of the dedicated LPG filling stations.

     A department spokesman said that the adjustment on May 1, 2024 would reflect the movement of the LPG international price in April 2024. The adjusted auto-LPG ceiling prices for dedicated LPG filling stations would range from $3.70 to $4.59 per litre, amounting to a decrease of $0.08 per litre.

     The spokesman said that the auto-LPG ceiling prices were adjusted according to a pricing formula specified in the contracts. The formula comprises two elements – the LPG international price and the LPG operating price. The LPG international price refers to the LPG international price of the preceding month. The LPG operating price is adjusted on February 1 and June 1 annually according to the average movement of the Composite Consumer Price Index and the Nominal Wage Index.

     The auto-LPG ceiling prices for respective dedicated LPG filling stations in May 2024 are as follows:
 

     The spokesman said that the details of the LPG international price and the auto-LPG ceiling price for each dedicated LPG filling station had been uploaded to the EMSD website (www.emsd.gov.hk) and posted at dedicated LPG filling stations to enable the trades to monitor the price adjustment.

     Details of the pricing adjustment mechanism for dedicated LPG filling stations can also be viewed under the "What's New" section of the department website at www.emsd.gov.hk/en/what_s_new/current/index.html.

     Police are investigating a fatal traffic accident happened in Wong Tai Sin yesterday (April 24), in which a man died.
      
     At 4.11pm, when a 47-year-old man drove a school bus and was preparing to leave a carpark of a housing estate on Hammer Hill Road, he accidentally fell out of the vehicle. The school bus reportedly skidded forward and the man was rolled over by the school bus.

     Sustaining multiple injuries, the man was rushed to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in conscious state and later turned to unconscious state. He was certified dead at 9.39pm.

     Investigation by the Special Investigation Team of Traffic, Kowloon East is underway.

     Anyone who witnessed the accident or has any information to offer is urged to contact the investigating officers on 3661 0264 or 3661 0277.