Hong Kong Customs arrested the female manager of a Tsim Sha Tsui beauty parlour yesterday, on suspicion she applied false trade descriptions to the service supplied and engaged in unfair trade practices.

Customs staff allege the women deliberately misled a customer by omitting information when selling a service, thus contravening the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).

Customs said it had earlier received information alleging that a female staff member of the parlour claimed the service package could be shared with others and the service could be carried out by a designated staff member. She also did not provide information that the service was to be provided at a designated branch only, misleading the consumer to procure the service.

“After investigation, Customs officers arrested a 39-year-old woman. Investigation is ongoing and the arrested woman has been released on bail pending further investigation,” Customs said in a statement.

The arrest follows the conviction and sentencing of two staff of a beauty parlour on Tuesday in the Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Courts. The pair, who work for an unidentified beauty parlour, were sentenced to carry out 200 hours of community service.

Hong Kong Customs prosecuted them after a complaint from a customer alleging staff used harassment and undue influence to coerce a customer to procure beauty treatment packages.

Under the TDO, any trader who applies a false trade description to a service supplied to a consumer or engages in a commercial practice that omits or hides material information and as a result causes, or is likely to cause, an average consumer to make a transactional decision commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.