7th July 2022 – (Hong Kong) Hong Kong Customs yesterday arrested six staff members of a vacation club marketing company suspected of engaging in unfair trade practices for making misleading omissions in the course of selling vacation club membership, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).
Customs earlier received information alleging that the salespersons of a vacation club marketing company in Tsim Sha Tsui, in the course of selling vacation club membership, were suspected of omitting or hiding material information from customers that additional charges would be required after paying the membership fee in order to use the relevant services.
Furthermore, the company falsely claimed to a customer in the course of selling that a membership could be offered for free. However, the salespersons revealed that the customer needed to purchase a vacation club membership in a specified amount in order to become a member after the customer has signed the documents. The customer has eventually procured the relevant membership.
After investigation, Customs officers yesterday arrested six female staff members of the company involved who are aged between 21 and 63.
An investigation is ongoing and the six arrested women have 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.