Seven arrested over phone-repair 'scam'

Customs officers said they have arrested seven people in a crackdown on deceptive practices involving mobile phone repairs.

Officers alleged that customers were misled with false claims by repair shops that replacement parts were the original articles, in violation of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance.

Chan Leong, an investigator with the unfair trade practices investigation division, said officers carried out undercover operations by posing as customers at multiple shops in Mong Kok, Tuen Mun and Yuen Long.

He said some of the shops claimed they could provide brand new, original screens for various mobile phone brands at prices between HK$1,000 and HK$2,000 – significantly lower than official repair costs.

But the parts offered were found to be not genuine.

"We believe these businesses are taking advantage of the general public's limited knowledge of professional parts and the fact that, after purchasing this repair service, it's difficult for them to disassemble the phone and inspect its internal components," Chan said.

"They're attempting to use a sophisticated approach, substituting genuine parts with non-original or even unbranded ones, to deceive customers and reap higher profits."

Customs officers seized suspected counterfeit mobile phone components, including screens, batteries and back glass panels, in their operation.

Edited by Edmond Fong ...