Customs announced today that they have arrested two directors of a chain fitness and beauty group suspected of wrongly accepting payments when selling fitness and beauty services in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).

Customs explained that in response to the sudden announcement of the temporary business suspension by the chain fitness and beauty group on September 6, both Customs and Police set up an interdepartmental dedicated investigation team to conduct a probe into offences under the TDO regarding unfair trade practices and whether other criminal offences are involved.

After receiving information alleging that the chain fitness and beauty group failed to provide prepaid fitness and beauty services purchased by customers, the investigation team discovered that the chain group still accepted payments for prepaid services from customers even before the announcement of its business suspension. As a result, customers who had paid in advance were unable to use the services and did not receive any refunds.

Subsequent to a follow-up investigation, Customs officers conducted enforcement operations for two consecutive days and arrested two directors, a male and a female, of the fitness and beauty group, aged 67 and 68 respectively.

Customs stressed that the investigation is ongoing and called on those affected by the case to contact their department and provide them with relevant information.

Additionally, Customs pointed out that as of noon today, they have received 900 reports regarding the fitness and beauty group, involving fitness and beauty service contracts amounting to about $39 million.

      ​

Members of the public may report any suspected violations of the TDO via Customs’ 24-hour hotline at 2545 6182, or its dedicated crime-reporting email account, or by filling out an online form.