经营者恶意闭店，预付费消费者如何依法维权

Core Viewpoint - The case highlights the judicial response to malicious business practices in the prepaid consumer sector, emphasizing the accountability of both original and new business owners in refunding consumers' prepaid amounts [1][9]. Group 1: Case Background - A consumer, Ms. Yang, prepaid 50,000 yuan for services at a beauty salon, which later changed ownership without notifying her, leading to a loss of remaining balance [2]. - The original company, established in 2017, reduced its registered capital from 1 million yuan to 10,000 yuan before transferring ownership and subsequently dissolving [2][4]. Group 2: Legal Proceedings - Ms. Yang filed a lawsuit seeking a refund of 9,596 yuan, but the original owner claimed he was no longer responsible after transferring the business [3]. - The court found that the original owner had a duty to notify consumers before the company's dissolution, which he failed to do, constituting malicious closure [4]. Group 3: Consumer Rights and Refunds - The court ruled that the contract between Ms. Yang and the beauty salon was valid, and the transfer of ownership did not absolve the new owners of responsibility for the prepaid services [5][6]. - The court deemed the clause stating that "gift amounts are non-refundable" as invalid, affirming that the refund should be calculated based on the actual consumption at discounted rates [7][8]. Group 4: Judicial Impact - The ruling serves as a warning to businesses engaging in deceptive practices, reinforcing consumer rights in prepaid transactions and establishing a precedent for future cases [9].