Two online vendors facing charges for selling overpriced thermal scanners

Two online sellers have been caught by the members of the Eastern Police District Special Operations Unit after they allegedly offer thermal scanners at a higher price than the SRP.

According to the report of Inquirer, the suspect Sofia Loren, 27 and Melvin Loto, 37, were caught during an entrapment operation inside a known fast food store at Barangay San Nicolas in Pasig City.

The authorities recovered ten units of the thermal scanner and a 50,000 boodle money used for the operation.

They’re facing charges for violating the Republic Act 7394 or the Consumer Act.

Fight against hoarders:

An example of an online vendor selling sanitizers to social media users amid COVID-19 outbreak. Photo: Facebook.

Under the Consumer Act or Republic Act (RA) No. 7394, overpricing of face masks may be considered as an unfair and unconscionable sales act or practice since it involves taking advantage of consumers in this time of need. The Price Act (RA 7581) also considers this as an act of profiteering.

Amid the COVID-19 outbreak, several reports about online reseller hoarding sanitizers have been circulated online.

Consumers blamed the online sellers for the lack of supply of sanitizers, which are reportedly reselling it for double or sometimes triple the price than usual.

The insufficient supply of alcohol even made one Mayor in Laguna to form a task force against hoarders.

Mayor Walfredo Dimaguila Jr. of Biñan offered a P10,000 reward for anyone who could set up a physical meet up with online vendors selling overpriced items.

To fight the hoarders, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) already asked all establishments to limit the alcohol purchase to two items per customer.

 

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