Manager of Brilliant Education arrested over centers’ sudden closure

A 50-year-old female manager of suddenly-shuttered Brilliant Education Co Ltd was arrested by customs on Tuesday for engaging in illegal commercial practices. 

The 27-year-old company announced the immediate closure of its five centers last Saturday (Jul 29), saying their “historical mission has been fulfilled.” 

Over 500 parents and students were affected and some said they had lost up to HK$40,000 in tuition fees. 

In reply to media inquiries, customs said they arrested a 50-year-old woman on Tuesday who was the person-in-charge and the company’s director. 

The woman was arrested for inappropriately accepting advanced payments for courses offered by the centers, in violation of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance. 

Customs will later meet with reporters and roll out more details. 

Brilliant Education had six centers in the city, including two in Quarry Bay, one in Chai Wan, Shau Kei Wan, Ho Man Tin and Siu Sai Wan. 

Many parents flocked to the group’s Facebook page to complain as they had paid the fees but there were no lessons for their kids to attend. 

Some teachers and instructors also said their salaries were long overdue and are yet to be settled. 

Customs and the Consumer Council said earlier that they had received 219 and 63 complaints respectively, involving about HK$1.83 million and HK$660,000. 

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