​Hong Kong Customs today (November 25) arrested a male director of a healthcare centre suspected of having applied false trade descriptions to the wart removal treatments supplied by the centre, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).

     Customs earlier received information alleging that a healthcare centre had falsely claimed itself to be a qualified day procedure centre. Customs later verified with the Department of Health that the healthcare centre did not hold a valid day procedure centre licence and had never submitted any application for such a licence.

     After investigation, Customs officers today arrested a 43-year-old male director of the healthcare centre.

     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 at reputable shops. Consumers can check the licence qualification of a private healthcare facility at the Department of Health website (www.directory.orphf.gov.hk/Directory/en/Home/Home).

     Under the TDO, any trader who applies a false trade description to a service supplied or offered to be 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).

Ends/Thursday, November 25, 2021
Issued at HKT 17:00

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