Hong Kong Customs arrests director of yoga centre suspected of engaging in unfair trade practices in sale of services
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Customs earlier received information alleging that the yoga centre suddenly announced the business suspension of its all branches and failed to provide prepaid services purchased by customers. Customs officers immediately conducted an investigation and found that the yoga centre still accepted payments from customers before the announcement of its business suspension. Customers who had purchased prepaid yoga or fitness courses were unable to use the services concerned.
After a follow-up investigation, Customs officers today conducted enforcement operations and arrested a 61-year-old male director of the company. The investigation is ongoing.
Customs has been paying close attention to the case and called on members of the public affected to provide information. As of 5pm today, Customs had received a total of 381 complaints, involving contracts amounting to about $4.07 million.
Customs reminds traders to comply with the requirements of the TDO. Consumers are also reminded to procure services at reputable shops and think prudently before making consumption decisions with prepayments. After purchasing services, they should keep the relevant records, such as transaction receipts and contracts, which can become basic information in case a complaint is lodged in the future.
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 for five years.
Members of the public may report any suspected violations of the TDO to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
Ends/Friday, October 2, 2026
Issued at HKT 21:45
Issued at HKT 21:45
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