An estate agent who gave false data to the media in 2003 has been suspended for two months by the Estate Agents Authority Disciplinary Committee.

Lai Choi-che (licence E-148101) told reporters about purchases of Choi Po Court in Sheung Shui by Mainland visitors. However, the information was later proved fictitious.

The committee decided Centaline Property Agency has contravened section 9(1) of the Estate Agents Practice (General Duties & Hong Kong Residential Properties) Regulation.

It reprimanded the agency and ordered it be fined $200,000 pursuant to section 30 of the Estate Agents Ordinance. It also ordered that Lai Chor-che's licence be suspended for two months from September 1.

Centaline has lodged an appeal against the authority's decision to exercise disciplinary powers against it.