Saleswoman arrested over aggressive sales tactics, third suspect linked to Opatra
Hong Kong customs officers have arrested a woman for allegedly using aggressive tactics to sell skincare products at a local beauty chain formerly operating under the Opatra London brand, bringing the number of arrests in the case to three, the South China Morning Post has learned. A source said the saleswoman, who is in her twenties, was suspected of pressuring a customer into making purchases…
Customs officers in Hong Kong have apprehended a female salesperson for allegedly employing coercive methods to promote skincare items at a former beauty chain known as Opatra London, marking the third arrest in the ongoing investigation, according to the South China Morning Post. The suspect, in her twenties, is accused of pressuring a customer at the now-defunct Sha Tin New Town Plaza branch, which was formerly run by Sayles Retail, by exploiting excuses like "the facial treatment is not yet completed" to keep the customer inside the store and ultimately persuade her to purchase products.
The customs authorities have received over 30 calls seeking assistance in connection with the chain. In August, customs officers arrested two staff members—a 42-year-old Hong Kong man and a 25-year-old woman, both managers associated with the brand—allegedly using similar tactics. These individuals were subsequently released on bail.
Opatra's UK headquarters has consistently distanced itself from the controversy, asserting that the Hong Kong outlets operated independently under a distribution agreement, and announced the suspension of the city's distributor, expressing full cooperation with the authorities. Efforts to locate three directors of Sayles Retail, who remain elusive, are underway.
The company is reportedly grappling with lawsuits totaling HK$795,000 due to unpaid rent. All four Opatra outlets in the city, including the flagship store in Causeway Bay, have been shuttered, with the brand name obscured. Additional details regarding the case are anticipated to be disclosed on Wednesday evening.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post - Hong Kong's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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