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Simpson Cheung

At least one top executive of the Hong Kong operator of UK-based beauty chain Opatra London has resigned, it emerged on Thursday, after customs officers arrested two of the company’s managers over alleged coercive and misleading sales practices.
Meanwhile, the Lux Boutique outlet at Harbour City in Tsim Sha Tsui, which is operated by the same company, was boarded up and locked on Thursday.
A check by the South China Morning Post found that Sayles Retail filed a “Notice of Resignation of Company Secretary and Director” with the Companies Registry on Wednesday.
The document’s status was listed as “pending”, meaning its details were not yet available.
According to Sayles Retail’s company particulars, Ascentium Secretary (HK) – which was raided by customs on Tuesday – is the company secretary, while Omri Sayles, Yehonathan Naftali Gamliel and Avraham Avi Dotan are listed as directors.
It was unclear who or how many had resigned.
The filing came on the same day that Hong Kong customs officers arrested two staff members from Sayles Retail, which operates under the Opatra London brand, amid controversy over its alleged aggressive sales tactics.
The brand’s four Hong Kong branches – two in Sha Tin, one in Yuen Long and one in Causeway Bay – have since suspended operations.
Sayles Retail has also faced three lawsuits over unpaid rent totalling HK$795,000 (US$101,378).
The local firm’s financial and administration managers – a 42-year-old Hong Kong man and a 25-year-old woman, respectively – were detained on Wednesday, marking the first arrests linked to the brand accused of deploying high-pressure sales tactics targeting middle-aged and elderly shoppers.
The arrests were made under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance.
The firm’s operations in Hong Kong have come under mounting scrutiny after the Customs and Excise Department received at least six complaints alleging coercive and misleading sales practices. Victims reported being pressured into purchases ranging from HK$1,800 to HK$100,000.
A 58‑year‑old woman said she spent HK$61,400 at the Sha Tin New Town Plaza branch, and a video of her crying outside the shop later went viral.
The arrests followed a raid by customs officers on the company’s registered office in Sheung Wan, which turned out to be the address of Ascentium. Officers seized documents during the operation.
The Consumer Council also said it had received complaints from three customers and would handle the cases according to established procedures.
Opatra’s UK headquarters distanced itself from the controversy earlier this week and again on Wednesday night, saying the Hong Kong outlets were independently operated under a distribution agreement, and pledged to cooperate fully with authorities.
It said in a statement that its review of the Hong Kong distribution arrangement is ongoing, and it expects to make a further announcement shortly.


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Consumer protection in Hong Kong

Top executive at Opatra Hong Kong operator quits amid coercive sales probe

The Lux Boutique outlet at Harbour City has it windows covered and door locked on Thursday. Photo: Karma Lo

The Lux Boutique outlet at Harbour City in Tsim Sha Tsui is boarded up. Photo: Karma Lo

Hong Kong customs arrests 2 over aggressive sales tactics at Opatra-branded shops

Customs officers take away the two suspects on Wednesday. Photo: Nora Tam

Inside the playbook used to dupe Hongkongers into making big beauty product buys

Orogold is also under the spotlight for alleged aggressive sales tactics. Photo: Warton Li

A former Orogold employee has spoken of the aggressive tactics used at the brand’s outlets in Hong Kong. Photo: Warton Li

Hong Kong customs have raided a corporate secretarial office in Sheung Wan as part of an investigation into aggressive sales tactics. Photo: Handout

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

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

News

Hong Kong

Law and Crime

Check by SCMP found Sayles Retail filed Notice of Resignation of Company Secretary and Director with Companies Registry on Wednesday


Check by SCMP found Sayles Retail filed Notice of Resignation of Company Secretary and Director with Companies Registry on Wednesday.


Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong customs

Britain

Top executive at Opatra Hong Kong operator quits amid coercive sales probe

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Check by SCMP found Sayles Retail filed Notice of Resignation of Company Secretary and Director with Companies Registry on Wednesday

Check by SCMP found Sayles Retail filed Notice of Resignation of Company Secretary and Director with Companies Registry on Wednesday