Online shop owner jailed over undelivered supermarket vouchers
On.cc · 2 SOURCESabout 4 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
A 47-year-old woman who ran an online retail business was sentenced at Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Courts on Friday, 18 September, for improperly accepting payment in a sales transaction under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance. She was jailed for four months and ordered to compensate five victims about HK$160,000 after customers paid for supermarket vouchers that were not delivered.
The case involved 4,380 supermarket vouchers with a total value of about HK$170,000. Customs said the retailer had promoted HK$50 face-value supermarket vouchers at discounted prices through an online shop and social media, collected full upfront payment, and promised delivery within two to three months, but failed to supply the goods or arrange refunds.
Key Points
- The defendant was described as a 47-year-old female online retail shop owner convicted of improperly accepting payment under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance.
- She was sentenced on 18 September at Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Courts to four months’ imprisonment and ordered to compensate five victims about HK$160,000.
- The prosecution case covered 4,380 supermarket vouchers, with a total amount of about HK$170,000 and the largest single case involving about HK$70,000.
- Customs said she used an online store and social media to pre-sell HK$50 face-value supermarket vouchers at low prices, taking full deposits in advance.
- Customers were told supply would arrive within two to three months, but after payment the retailer neither delivered the vouchers nor arranged refunds.
Why It Matters
The case is a reminder that online pre-sale offers can trigger criminal liability in Hong Kong when a trader takes payment without intending to supply goods, or without reasonable grounds to believe supply can be made on time. Customs said it welcomed the ruling, calling the sentence a reflection of the offence’s seriousness and a deterrent against unfair trade practices that harm consumers