PANews reported on November 8th that, according to Hong Kong media outlet Hong Kong 01, the Eastern Magistrates' Court of Hong Kong ruled that financial "influencer" Chow Pak-yin illegally created and managed a subscription-based chat group and provided investment advice without a license, and sentenced him to six weeks in prison. This is reportedly the first case in Hong Kong to result in imprisonment for providing investment advice without a license. The Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission stated that Chow Pak-yin earned a total of HK$43,680 by charging chat group members, and will continue to crack down on illegal activities by financial "influencers" and pursue their accountability.


