Elderly Woman Swindled HK$116,000 for 400 Daily Supplements; TV Show Confronts Store
HK01 · 4 SOURCESabout 8 hours ago6 MIN
Summary
TVB's current affairs programme "On a Clear Day" (東張西望) has exposed an alleged case of predatory sales tactics targeting an elderly customer in Tai Wo Hau. A 74-year-old woman, identified only as Chan, was reportedly persuaded by staff at a health product store to purchase over 800 bottles of supplements worth HK$116,000, with instructions to consume a staggering 400 capsules per day. Chan experienced severe adverse effects including dizziness and diarrhoea more than ten times daily. Following the programme's investigation and on-site confrontation, the store agreed to refund HK$84,500, while authorities continue to monitor the situation.
Key Points
- The 74-year-old Mrs. Chan, who suffers from acid reflux and heart disease, was contacted by the store in September and persuaded to purchase five types of supplements claiming detoxification, bone strengthening, blood pressure management, liver protection, and weight loss effects .
- Store staff instructed Chan to take 20 capsules of each of the five products per dose, four times daily, totalling 400 capsules daily — 100 times the package-recommended maximum of 4 capsules .
- Within two months, Chan consumed 250 bottles and experienced severe symptoms including dizziness, vomiting, and diarrhoea up to ten times daily, yet staff dismissed these as "detoxification" effects .
- The Hong Kong Standards and Testing Centre (STC) confirmed only one of the five products held a valid certification; the other four had expired or invalid certificates, and the store's "Quality Mark" was found to be a fake with a misspelled "TESTED" .
- During the programme's undercover operation, staff made unsubstantiated medical claims including that the products cured cancer, stating: "Cancer, high-risk diseases — all cured" .
Why It Matters
This case highlights the vulnerability of elderly Hong Kong residents to predatory marketing practices in the health product sector. Family doctor Lam Wing-ho warned that consuming 100 times the recommended dosage could cause acute drug poisoning, severe dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and potentially fatal kidney or multi-organ failure . The Commerce and Economic Development Bureau's Customs and Excise Department stated it is closely monitoring the case and will take enforcement action if any violation of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance is found .
This case highlights the vulnerability of elderly Hong Kong residents to predatory marketing practices in the health product sector. Family doctor Lam Wing-ho warned that consuming 100 times the recommended dosage could cause acute drug poisoning, severe dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and potentially fatal kidney or multi-organ failure . The Commerce and Economic Development Bureau's Customs and Excise Department stated it is closely monitoring the case and will take enforcement action if any violation of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance is found .