Hong Kong customs arrest sportswear retailer owner over order failures
Hong Kong customs arrested a 50-year-old man, owner of a sportswear shop in Mong Kok, for failing to supply pre-ordered jerseys, printing and badges on time or refund customers. The probe covers 38 complainants and about HK$67,000 in payments.
Hong Kong customs have arrested the owner of a sportswear retailer in connection with allegations that he failed to supply ordered goods or arrange refunds for customers. The 50-year-old man, who runs the shop in Mong Kok, was taken into custody on 28 October following an investigation prompted by multiple reports.
Customs said it had received complaints that the retailer, operating both online and from a physical store, accepted payment for jerseys, jersey printing and badges but did not deliver the ordered items by the promised date or within a reasonable time. It also failed to issue refunds in a timely manner, the authority alleged.
As of 27 October, customs had received reports from 38 customers, with total payments involved amounting to about HK$67,000. The arrested man has been released on bail pending further inquiries, and the case remains under investigation.
Under Hong Kong's relevant ordinance, a trader who accepts payment with the intention of not supplying the product, or of supplying a product that is materially different from what was ordered, or who has no reasonable grounds to believe it can be supplied within the specified or a reasonable time, commits an offence. Upon conviction, the maximum penalty is a fine of HK$500,000 and up to five years in prison.
Customs reminded traders to comply with the ordinance and urged consumers to buy from reputable merchants. Members of the public can report suspected violations of the ordinance by calling the customs 24-hour hotline on 182 8080, or by using the dedicated crime reporting email account ([email protected]) or the online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
