UNDERCOVER policemen have been used for the first time to catch electrical appliance shops using ''bait and switch'' tactics to con customers.
Police raided a shop in Sha Tsui Road, Tsuen Wan at 1.50 pm yesterday and arrested three shop employees, aged between 17 and 22, for criminal deception.
''We got 43 referred complaints from the Consumer Council last year concerning six electrical appliance shops in Tsuen Wan allegedly employing so-called 'bait and switch' business practices,'' said assistant district commander (crime), Detective Superintendent Richard Lau Sik-tim.
''Bait and switch'' means customers are attracted to goods at low prices, but after they have paid a deposit the shopkeeper will say additional accessories must be bought at a higher price.
The customer is subjected to criminal intimidation or even assault if he refuses. In other cases, customers are forced to buy expensive products which are second-hand or display items.
Detectives targeted the Kin Wong Electrical Company several months ago after 18 complaints against it this year.
