If you are looking to lose weight with help from a professional slimming centre, make sure to be discerning with the policies they offer, STOMPer MiLo says after reading about a famous Hong Kong chain suspected of cheating up to 500 clients.

According to reports, it is suspected that clients of Royal Bodyperfect were cheated with rigged scales and undelivered promises.

Customers were told that they could get all of the money they deposited back if they managed to reach a certain weight.

It was reported that many customers did not receive any money back.

The sender says:

"Police suspect that a slimming company had failed to pay up after promising customers money back if they reached target weights. They also used rigged scales.

"There were raids at Royal Bodyperfect's Wan Chai headquarters and six outlets around the city, in which eight people were arrested.

"The man and seven women arrested, included the company director, therapist, shop managers and consultants. They were held on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud.

"They were released on bail and told to report back within a month.

"Another officer said initial investigations indicated that customers paid from HK$10,000 to HK$60,000 each as deposits for their slimming packages.

"'They were promised they could get a full refund or part of their money back as long as they could achieve a designated weight-loss goal in a certain period,' the officer said.

"Police from Kowloon West regional crime unit began the investigation after first receiving complaints against the company in late 2009.

"Police refused to say whether undercover agents were used to collect evidence.

"Without naming the company, a spokesman for the police public relations branch said unscrupulous sales tactics were suspected to have been used to promote three slimming packages.

"'The plans involve about 500 clients. So far, officers have contacted 200 of them,' he said, adding that police were still investigating how many people were cheated and how much was involved".