CASE to start injunction proceedings against Mobile Air

SINGAPORE — Sim Lim Square retailer Mobile Air has refused to sign an agreement to stop engaging in unfair practices, prompting the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) to start injunction proceedings against the store.

Mobile Air recently sparked public outrage after images of a Vietnamese tourist kneeling and begging tearfully for a refund at its store went viral. This occurred shortly after the company made headlines for trying to give another customer a S$1,010 refund in coins.

CASE said yesterday: “Mobile Air Pte Ltd has declined to sign our Voluntary Compliance Agreement and pledge to stop their unfair practices. As such, we have decided to take out an injunction against this company.”

If the injunction is granted by a court, Mobile Air will be restricted from engaging in unfair practices as stated in the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act. However, the entire process could take several months, CASE added.

Under the Act, it is an unfair practice to take advantage of a consumer if the business knows, or ought reasonably to know, that the consumer is either not in a position to protect his own interests or is not reasonably able to understand any matter related to the transaction.