Man arrested for defrauding tourist by switching unit of measurement in ginseng sale
Customs arrested a 28-year-old pharmacy worker in Jordan after he switched the measurement unit from catty to tael and charged a mainland tourist up to HK$6,400 when selling ginseng.
Customs said they received a complaint from a mainland tourist who visited a pharmacy in Jordan last Saturday (Apr 1).
The worker claimed to be offering a discount to reduce the price of the ginseng from HK$680 a catty – about 604 grams – to HK$400. As the tourist decided to purchase, the worker sliced the ginseng and claimed the measurement unit was indeed tael – about 37.8 grams.
The mainland tourist ended up paying HK$6,400 for the ginseng, marking a 16-fold jump from the original price.
Customs launched an investigation after the tourist lodged a complaint and arrested the worker for breaching the Trade Descriptions Ordinance.
The worker, covered with a black hood, was escorted to the customs’ headquarters on Tuesday night.
Customs said they are concerned about visitors being misled to make purchases by unfair trade practices.
Customs added they have established a Quick Response Team to handle urgent complaints lodged by short-haul visitors, and reminded traders to comply with the requirements of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance.