Hong Kong Customs combats unfair trade practices at matchmaking company
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     Hong Kong Customs today (March 31) arrested a male proprietor of a matchmaking company suspected of having applied false trade descriptions to supplied matchmaking services, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).

     Customs earlier received information alleging that a proprietor of a matchmaking company made false claims to customers on the number of and gender ratio of registered members in the sale of its matchmaking services.

     After an in-depth investigation, Customs officers arrested a 27-year-old man today.

     An 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 from reputable shops.

     Under the TDO, any person who in the course of any trade or business applies a false trade description to any goods or services 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).

Ends/Tuesday, March 31, 2020
Issued at HKT 16:03

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