Learning centre suspected of having contravened Trade Descriptions Ordinance
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Customs earlier received complaints from members of the public alleging that a learning centre had, upon completing a three-day training course in Japan, issued them with a certificate from a different issuing authority than the one stated in the course advertisement. The learning centre was suspected to have constituted an offence of applying a false trade description under the TDO.
After initial investigation, Customs officers arrested the 42-year-old male director of the learning centre today. The case is still under investigation and the arrested person has been put on bail.
Under the TDO, a trader commits an offence under the TDO if he or she applies false trade descriptions to a service supplied to a consumer, or if he or she supplies to a customer a service to which a false trade description is applied. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.
Customs reminded traders to comply with the statutory requirements of the TDO. During the course of sale of services, they should state all relevant information to consumers in a clear and accurate manner and shall not apply false trade descriptions to mislead consumers.
Members of the public may report suspected cases in violation of the TDO to the Customs by calling the 24-hour hotline 2545 6182.
Ends/Wednesday, October 19, 2016
Issued at HKT 17:55
Issued at HKT 17:55
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