Three beauticians were today found guilty of contravening the Trade Descriptions Ordinance by engaging in aggressive commercial practices.

Two were jailed for three months and ordered to pay and $70,000 in compensation to the victim, while one was sentenced to 200 hours' community service.

The women, who were an operations manageress, a beauty consultant and a beauty supervisor, exerted undue influence on a customer, making her pay $70,000 as the deposit for a $140,000 body treatment package.

They claimed the customer had lumps which could mutate into cancer and suggested she purchase the body treatment package. They continued the sales practice for over one-and-a-half hours, despite the customer’s reluctance towards making any purchase.

The customer found their constant persuasion annoying but was scared and worried she might have cancer, and finally purchased the body treatment package unwillingly.