A self-claimed relationship expert was sentenced to 160 hours of community service on Thursday after being found guilty of violating the Trade Descriptions Ordinance by charging two men a total of HK$540,000 in teaching them dating techniques. He was charged with tricking his clients, Chang Hin-shing and Chan Pak-hang, from January 26 to February 15 last year by asking them to pay more than the course fees. He was later charged with two counts of "engaging in a commercial practice that is a misleading omission." During the hearing at the Eastern Magistrates' Courts today, the prosecution also requested a court order for Chau to pay compensation and confiscate the mobile phone and tablet computer seized from him. However, the magistrate, Philip Chan Chee-fai, decided against imposing a compensation order and confiscating the items and suggested the victims file a civil lawsuit if they wished to pursue compensation.

Source: The Standard July 06, 2023 19:57 UTC