The Eastern Magistrates’ Court convicted finfluencer Chau Pak Yin for providing unlicensed investment advice on a subscription-based Telegram chat group. Chau was sentenced to six weeks in prison and ordered to pay investigation costs.
This article was generated using SAMS, an AI technology by Timothy Loh LLP.
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On November 07, 2025, the Eastern Magistrates’ Court found Chau Pak Yin, formerly known as Chau Kin Hei, guilty of providing unlicensed investment advice through a subscription-based Telegram chat group. He was sentenced to six weeks’ imprisonment and required to reimburse the Securities and Futures Commission’s ("SFC") investigation costs.
Chau operated a Telegram chat group under the name “Futu真。財自Private Group” and the username “Futu大股東” between April 16, 2021, and May 14, 2021, charging a monthly subscription fee of US$200 or HK$1,560, which yielded a total of HK$43,680 over this period.
The SFC, which prosecuted the case, underscores its commitment to combatting unlawful activities by finfluencers. Investors are urged to verify the regulatory status of finfluencers before adhering to their investment advice.
Chau is currently remanded in custody pending his appeal against the conviction and sentence. The SFC advises the public to consult its Public Register of Licensed Persons and Registered Institutions to confirm the legitimacy of firms and individuals providing financial services.
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