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Brian Wong

A self-styled dating coach in Hong Kong has been sentenced to community service for overcharging his clients, who paid more than HK$540,000 (US$69,000) for his courses.
But Chau Pak-yin said he would ask the trial magistrate to review the verdict after he was sentenced on Thursday.
“I will launch a counteroffensive against the [Customs and Excise Department],” the 33-year-old YouTuber vowed outside Eastern Court.
Chau was ordered to complete 160 hours of unpaid community work after he was convicted of two counts of misleading omissions in a commercial practice for charging his clients three to five times more than the initial quote.
‘Devil’ in the details? Hong Kong dating coach arrested over HK$130,000 fees
Magistrate Philip Chan Chee-fai said an order for a medium duration of community service, as recommended by Chau’s probation officer, was appropriate.
Chan declined the prosecution’s request for a compensation order and said it could affect later civil proceedings.
He also refused Chau’s application for an immediate review of the ruling and asked the social media influencer to make a written request to the court.
Customs divisional commander Shek Ka-yin, who specialises in investigating unfair trade practices, praised the court’s decision and said Chau had carefully planned the offences.
“Even after receiving the payments from the two victims, the accused asked for more,” the officer said. “He made up various pretences based on the victims’ background to apply extra costs and conditions to their memberships.”
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Shek added he was confident the sentence would deter similar behaviour and send a clear message to society that such acts would not be condoned.
The trial earlier this year heard Chau, nicknamed “Professor Devil”, had set up a YouTube channel and an account on self-publishing platform Patreon to offer tips to single men on how to flirt with and seduce women.
The internet personality early last year demanded HK$38,200 and HK$78,000 from clients Chang Hin-shing and Chan Pak-hang, respectively, for hands-on coaching.
But Chan was asked to pay another HK$330,000 for a gold Omega watch and Chang was later charged an extra HK$100,000 for his wardrobe makeover.
The pair told the court they were refused further sessions with Chau until they paid up.
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Chang also complained the defendant had published videos of him “practising” Chau’s techniques in public venues without his consent and refused to remove them until he was given the cash to pay for the clothing.
The magistrate found Chau guilty after he highlighted the unclear and unintelligible descriptions of his online dating courses.
He said Chau’s clients would not have agreed to join his classes if they knew they had to pay three to five times more than what appeared to be a one-off fee.
Chau said on Thursday he had called a halt to new courses and taking on fresh “disciples” so that he could focus on the criminal case.
Engaging in a misleading commercial practice is punishable by up to two years in jail and a HK$100,000 fine under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance when the case is heard before a magistrate.


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Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong ‘Professor Devil’ dating coach sentenced to community service for overcharging clients who paid HK$540,000 for courses

Chau Pak-yin says he will ask the trial magistrate to review his verdict. Photo: Brian Wong

News

Hong Kong

Law and Crime

Chau Pak-yin, who offered courses to teach single men how to flirt with women, vows to ask trial magistrate to review verdict
Client of 33-year-old YouTuber was asked to pay for gold Omega watch and another was charged extra for wardrobe makeover


Chau Pak-yin, who offered courses to teach single men how to flirt with women, vows to ask trial magistrate to review verdict.


Hong Kong courts

Crime

Dating

Hong Kong ‘Professor Devil’ dating coach sentenced to community service for overcharging clients who paid HK$540,000 for courses

Chau Pak-yin, who offered courses to teach single men how to flirt with women, vows to ask trial magistrate to review verdict Client of 33-year-old YouTuber was asked to pay for gold Omega watch and another was charged extra for wardrobe makeover

Chau Pak-yin, who offered courses to teach single men how to flirt with women, vows to ask trial magistrate to review verdict

Client of 33-year-old YouTuber was asked to pay for gold Omega watch and another was charged extra for wardrobe makeover