Millions of customers and retailers have been left in the lurch after a major online shopping platform announced it was shutting down business in Southeast Asia, including Hong Kong. At least five people in Hong Kong reported the matter to police yesterday, facing losses amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars after the company allegedly failed to pay the bills before quitting. The sudden closure was revealed in a statement issued by Ensogo, the Australian-listed parent company of the group-buying business Beecrazy. It said yesterday the management had decided to end operations in Southeast Asia and lay off staff, in a bid to save money for new investments. “Ensogo Australia … will no longer provide financial support to its subsidiary Southeast Asian flash sales and marketplace business units,” the statement read. The business units would be “shut down” and all staff had been informed, while customers would be contacted “in the coming days”, it added. Founded in 2010, Beecrazy provides discount coupons by partnering with restaurants, shops and travel agencies. It was acquired by Singapore-based Ensogo which later ran online shopping platforms covering the Lion City, Hong Kong, Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand. Ensogo claimed to have reached over 600 million customers in the region, with more than one million subscribers in Hong Kong. The e-commerce giant had failed to explain the situation to the public Nagu Cang restaurant spokesman The Consumer Council said it was deeply concerned about the developments. The watchdog said it had received 163 enquiries and 12 complaints yesterday. Police have launched an investigation into the matter. Local merchants in recent weeks had complained they had not received payment from Beecrazy. A furniture merchant surnamed Chan made a report to police yesterday evening. She said she had partnered with Beecrazy since last October, and the company still owed her more than HK$200,000. “I used to receive cheques directly from its office. But Beecrazy suggested making bank transfers in May as it was more convenient,” Chan said. “I have not received a penny since then.” Customers might also face losses if shops do not honour their coupons. La Saison, a French restaurant by Michelin-chef Jacques Barnachon in Tsim Sha Tsui, warned customers that the 500 coupons bought from Beecrazy could not be redeemed. “The deal was made between Beecrazy and the customers. We do not receive any money,” a waitress said. A coupon for an afternoon tea set for two persons was sold for HK$198 on Beecrazy – the original price was HK$404. But Japanese restaurant Nagu Cang in Kwai Chung allowed more than 700 customers to use their coupons, even though the online shopping platform had failed to pay its HK$200,000 bill. “This is to respect our customers and our service,” a spokesman said, adding that he was also angry and demanded an explanation from the e-commerce giant. Beecrazy has suspended all online transactions since Monday. Its office in Cheung Sha Wan was closed with a notice pasted on the door informing people that business has been suspended since June 16 due to interior renovation work.