HONG KONG: Hong Kong Customs today (January 12) arrested a male staff member of a fitness centre suspected of having applied a false trade description to the service supplied, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).
Customs earlier received information alleging that the staff member coaxed a member of the public to procure personal training lessons valued at $24,000 by claiming that he could assist the member of the public to get a membership fee refund from another fitness centre. After investigation, Customs officers today arrested a 25-year-old man. Investigation is ongoing and the arrested man has been released on bail pending further investigation.
Customs reminded traders to comply with the requirements of the TDO and consumers to procure services at reputable shops. Under the TDO, any trader who applies a false trade description to a service supplied to a consumer commits an offence.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.
