Tougher laws vital to protect consumers
My 12-year-old daughter was seduced by an online ad into attending an audition for young actors at a hotel in Causeway Bay last Saturday.
The so-called celebrity in charge was trying to encourage vulnerable and impressionable teenagers to sign up for a short course in Los Angeles which he described as “life-changing”, which would almost guarantee them paid acting work, and which would most likely include meetings with superstars like Miley Cyrus and Selina Gomez (he was very good at dropping names).
We were invited back for the parents’ orientation on Sunday afternoon. On Sunday morning, I went to my local police station and told them about what was happening, suggesting they should come along to take a look. I was told quite firmly that such behaviour is not against the law in Hong Kong. I might have contacted the Consumer Council, but I know from bitter experience that they are completely toothless and ineffective and nobody is scared of them. Sure enough, on Sunday afternoon, we were strongly encouraged to pay US$5,000 for a five-day course, and I saw some extremely gullible parents signing up.
Why can consumers not get better protection from unscrupulous behaviour like this in Hong Kong? Why is there not better legislation against these business practices?
Warren Russell, Tseung Kwan O
Beach and trails on Po Toi in filthy state
