Hong Kong Customs arrests director of yoga centre suspected of engaging in unfair trade practices in sale of services
Hong Kong Customs today (October 2) arrested a male director of a chain yoga centre suspected of wrongly accepting payments when selling services, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).
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.
Hong Kong Customs, Photo source: reference image
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.
The yoga centre under investigation, Photo source: Threads image
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).
Security Bureau holds Huanggang Port community experience day
In anticipation of the upcoming opening of the redeveloped Huanggang Port, the Security Bureau today (October 4) organised a community experience day, inviting members of the public from all districts to visit and tour the Huanggang Port Building Hong Kong Port Area. Participants used the public transport services connecting to the port and facilities inside the port building, and learned about the novel "collaborative inspection and joint clearance" mode as well as the building's architectural design features.
Through the co-ordination of the Home Affairs Department with the District Offices across all 18 districts, more than 1 500 members of the public from various districts participated in the event. Participants travelled from designated pick-up points in their districts to the Huanggang Port Hong Kong Port Area by franchised buses or cross-boundary coach services. They toured the port building in groups guided by officers from the Fire Services Department and the Correctional Services Department.
Participants first arrived at and visited the public transport interchange of the port building to learn about the public transport arrangements. They then toured the port building to learn about its interior design features and experience various passenger-friendly facilities, including the free Government Wi-Fi service. They subsequently took the escalators to the departure hall on the fifth floor, where officers of the Immigration Department introduced the operation of the "collaborative inspection" automated channels, giving participants a better understanding of the novel "collaborative inspection and joint clearance" mode. Officers of Hong Kong Customs then explained the passenger clearance and customs inspection procedures at the arrival hall on the fourth floor.
The Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, visited the venue and met with participants to learn about their views on the port and experiences of the visit today. He was pleased to note that many participants responded positively and were looking forward to the early opening of the redeveloped Huanggang Port, which would bring a more efficient and convenient clearance experience to the public. Mr Tang also distributed gift packs prepared by the Security Bureau and took photographs with participants.
The community experience day was conducted in a positive and enthusiastic atmosphere, with many participants expressing excitement about the event. The event effectively enhanced participants' understanding of the public transport arrangements, immigration and customs clearance, and passenger-friendly facilities at the port building. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will continue to work closely with the Shenzhen side to prepare comprehensively for the opening of the port.
The Security Bureau today (October 4) organised a community experience day, inviting members of the public from all districts to visit and tour the Huanggang Port Building Hong Kong Port Area. Photo shows an officer of Hong Kong Customs explaining the passenger clearance and customs inspection procedures at the arrival hall on the fourth floor. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Security Bureau today (October 4) organised a community experience day, inviting members of the public from all districts to visit and tour the Huanggang Port Building Hong Kong Port Area. Photo shows an officer of the Immigration Department introducing the operation of the "collaborative inspection" automated channels at the departure hall on the fifth floor, giving participants a better understanding of the novel "collaborative inspection and joint clearance" mode. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Security Bureau today (October 4) organised a community experience day, inviting members of the public from all districts to visit and tour the Huanggang Port Building Hong Kong Port Area. Photo shows participants learning about the building's interior design features. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Security Bureau today (October 4) organised a community experience day, inviting members of the public from all districts to visit and tour the Huanggang Port Building Hong Kong Port Area. Photo shows participants learning about the building's interior design features. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Security Bureau today (October 4) organised a community experience day, inviting members of the public from all districts to visit and tour the Huanggang Port Building Hong Kong Port Area. Photo shows participants arriving at the public transport interchange of the port building and learning about the public transport arrangements. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Security Bureau today (October 4) organised a community experience day, inviting members of the public from all districts to visit and tour the Huanggang Port Building Hong Kong Port Area. Photo shows the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung (first left), chatting with the working staff. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Security Bureau today (October 4) organised a community experience day, inviting members of the public from all districts to visit and tour the Huanggang Port Building Hong Kong Port Area. Photo shows the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, with participants. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Security Bureau today (October 4) organised a community experience day, inviting members of the public from all districts to visit and tour the Huanggang Port Building Hong Kong Port Area. Photo shows the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung (first left), chatting with the working staff. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Security Bureau today (October 4) organised a community experience day, inviting members of the public from all districts to visit and tour the Huanggang Port Building Hong Kong Port Area. Photo shows the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung (first left), visiting the venue, meeting and taking photographs with participants. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Security Bureau today (October 4) organised a community experience day, inviting members of the public from all districts to visit and tour the Huanggang Port Building Hong Kong Port Area. Photo shows the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung (third left), chatting with participants. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
