appConfigEntityId

bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

isVideo

articlePageQuery

article

articleSchemaContent

content

hooksArticlePageAdvertisementConfigArticle

hooksArticlePageFloatingButtonConfigArticle

appConfig

filter

json

liveArticle

Danny Mok

Hong Kong customs has raided a corporate secretarial office in Sheung Wan as part of an investigation into a local beauty chain linked to UK brand Opatra London, following six complaints alleging high-pressure sales tactics involving sums of up to HK$100,000 (US$12,745).
Officers from the Customs and Excise Department seized documents from an office in the Wing On Centre on Connaught Road Central on Tuesday.
While listed as the beauty chain’s registered “principal place of business”, the office displayed signage for corporate services firm Ascentium, with no visible branding or operational staff for Opatra London.
Senior investigator Leung Ka‑ho of the Trade Descriptions Investigation Bureau said officers found only a secretarial service at the site, with no actual operations or staff of the beauty chain.
He said customs had so far received six complaints, mostly from middle‑aged or elderly people, involving sums ranging from HK$1,800 to HK$100,000.
“We will continue to trace the company’s responsible people and staff involved,” Leung said, adding that enforcement action and possible arrests would be taken if necessary.
He said the relevant beauty chain was suspected of using unfair trade practices in selling skincare products and beauty devices, in breach of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance’s provisions against aggressive commercial practices.
Leung added that the firm’s four outlets in Sha Tin, Yuen Long and Causeway Bay had ceased operations.

According to its website, Ascentium is a global corporate services and fiduciary firm spanning 58 cities across 27 markets, supporting over 65,000 client entities worldwide. Its Hong Kong office provides corporate governance, secretarial, and escrow services to more than 20 locally listed companies.
The controversy surrounding the UK firm arose last week after a video circulating on social media showed a woman kneeling and crying outside the Opatra London outlet at New Town Plaza shopping centre in Sha Tin, claiming she had been cheated into paying a large sum that included HK$20,000 in interest.
Opatra London distanced itself from the Hong Kong operation on Monday, saying it “deeply regretted” if any customers had a “distressing experience associated with our brand”, and revealed it had initiated an independent review of the local distributor Sayles Retail, which had hit back at growing accusations that it engaged in “deceptive sales practices”.
Consumer Council chief executive Alaina Shum Jiu-fai said the watchdog had not received any complaints about Opatra. From 2023 to August this year, the council received 309 complaints about sales practices of beauty shops. She called on consumers to remain cool-headed over any purchases of products.
“Consumers should live within their means and consider their affordability and personal needs before making purchases that they cannot afford. They shouldn’t yield to high-pressure sales tactics,” she said.
Additional reporting by Cannix Yau


Indefinite time in psychiatric ward for Hong Kong man who fatally stabbed 2 in mall

Hong Kong woman, 80, loses HK$6 million to fake online investment expert

Nearly 50% rise in drug seizures by Hong Kong customs in first half of year

Hong Kong customs seizes 13kg of suspected ketamine at airport, man arrested

Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong customs raids office in Opatra London probe after 6 complaints

Hong Kong customs raid a corporate secretarial office in Sheung Wan as part of an investigation into UK brand Opatra London. Photo: Handout

The office displayed signage for corporate services firm Ascentium, with no visible branding or operational staff for Opatra London. Photo: Handout

Customs has so far received six complaints, mostly from middle‑aged or elderly victims, involving sums ranging from HK$1,800 to HK$100,000. Photo: Handout

Opatra London distances itself from Hong Kong firm over deceptive sales allegations

A shuttered branch of Opatra London on Russell Street in Causeway Bay. Photo: Nora Tam

The Hong Kong distributor for Opatra London has said that after reviewing its transaction records, it found that it had never engaged in fraudulent sales, manipulative selling or interest-scamming misconduct. Photo: Nora Tam

 A Hong Kong distributor for beauty products is facing allegations of “deceptive sales practices”. Photo: Getty Images

Customs steps in after woman claims beauty chain Opatra cheated her out of HK$60,000

Opatra London’s 4,700 sq ft outlet on Russell Street in Causeway Bay. Photo: Nora Tam

The outlet posted a notice saying it was temporarily closed. Photo: Threads/ hereherehe&#xA;

News

Hong Kong

Law and Crime

Officers find only corporate secretarial firm at registered address with no actual operations or staff of beauty chain


Officers find only corporate secretarial firm at registered address with no actual operations or staff of beauty chain.


Sha Tin

Britain

Hong Kong customs raids office in Opatra London probe after 6 complaints

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Officers find only corporate secretarial firm at registered address with no actual operations or staff of beauty chain

Officers find only corporate secretarial firm at registered address with no actual operations or staff of beauty chain