Hong Kong customs arrests 2 over allegedly coercive sales tactics at beauty chain Opatra London

Hong Kong customs officers have arrested two staff members from local branches of the skincare chain Opatra London over alleged coercive sales tactics. The Customs and Excise Department said in a media briefing on Wednesday that they arrested a 25-year-old woman, Opatra London Hong Kong’s administrative manager, and a 42-year-old man who served as finance manager for the brand’s Hong Kong operations. Senior Investigator Leung Ka-ho stated that Opatra London’s Hong Kong locations are suspected of violating the Trade Descriptions Ordinance by using coercive sales approaches to pressure customers into purchasing items they did not want. Leung reported six complaints linked to the brand, targeting middle-aged or elderly shoppers. Victims reported being pressured into making purchases of up to HK$100,000. Online video evidence shows a woman sitting in front of the Opatra London Shatin branch in August 2026, crying after being pressured into buying unwanted items. The Customs and Excise Department has urged anyone affected by these tactics to submit an official report. The investigation is ongoing, with further arrests not ruled out. A 58-year-old woman told police she was forced to pay over HK$60,000 for items she did not want at the Sha Tin branch. A former staff member of Opatra London Hong Kong told Cable TV that company instructions included luring customers with compliments and then obtaining their credit cards. Opatra London’s UK headquarters clarified that its Hong Kong stores are operated by a local distribution partner and not directly managed by the London headquarters. The brand operates four locations in Hong Kong: Sha Tin (Citylink shopping centre), Yuen Long (Yoho Mall), Tsim Sha Tsui (Harbour City), and Russell Street in Causeway Bay. HKFP reached out to Opatra London for comment but did not receive a response.