Hong Kong matchmaking firm accused of cheating lovelorn out of HK$200,000
- At least 22 complaints were filed against Mong Kok-based Loveaholic by those claiming they were conned with false service descriptions
- One woman said the company’s founder called her up and asked: ‘What about me? Do you think I am handsome?’
Exaggerating the number of members and asking an employee to pose as a potential date were among the deceptive tactics used by a matchmaking agency, a member of the Democratic Party said on Saturday.
Ramon Yuen Hoi-man, who is also a Consumer Council member, said he had received at least 22 complaints involving more than HK$200,000 (US$26,000) against Mong Kok-based Loveaholic, alleging the firm made false service descriptions to con customers, something the firm’s owner has denied.
Yuen, who said victims had already reported their cases to the Customs and Excise Department, warned consumers to carefully review the terms and conditions in the service contracts provided by matchmaking firms.
“Loveaholic and its director Kyle Wong are ridiculous. They use unscrupulous means just to earn money,” Yuen said at a press conference.
Of the 22 cases, the firm charged between HK$1,000 and HK$32,000 for each client and promised to arrange men or women they liked for the customers, Yuen said.