Queensland author and dating ‘expert’ Jake Maddock faces shocking allegations

An author and dating “expert” who has amassed a global following has been accused of misleading clients and refusing refunds in his mission to profit from people looking for love. FULL STORY

Multiple women are accusing a self-proclaimed “relationship coach” and dating “expert” of blocking dissatisfied customers from his service groups and refusing refunds.

Gold Coast yoga teacher Tracey Tilnak is urging others to think hard about signing up for the services promoted by Jake Maddock, who has a strong social media presence with more than a million followers across TikTok, Facebook and Instagram.

Ms Tilnak said she was first contacted by Mr Maddock in early February after following him online and she booked a “free coaching call with Jake”.

During what she described as a “pushy” 10-minute call, she agreed to pay $900 for a month of coaching with Mr Maddock – saying she was made to pay over the phone before any physical paperwork was sent.

Tracey Tilnak is not giving up without a fight. Picture: Glenn Hampson

“I didn’t hear anything from him after that. The next day I started receiving all these messages on WhatsApp from people I didn’t know, welcoming me and inviting me to zoom meetings.”

Ms Tilnak said it wasn’t Mr Maddock coaching her, but his “team” with 400 other clients in a group chat.

“I sent a message to Jake straightaway asking who all these people were. He just said ‘That’s my team, they’re awesome’,” she said.

“That’s when I just sort of had a feeling this wasn’t for me and nothing like what I was told it would be.”

Ms Tilnak said when she asked about his refund policy, Mr Maddock asked why she was trying to leave, and “U (sic) need this my friend”.

“I kinda do refunds based on case-by-case, or like the first 24 hours.”

Ms Tilnak claimed she was within the 24-hour window and told Mr Maddock not once did he state she would be dealing with his “team” and not him direct.

Queensland author and dating ‘expert’ Jake Maddock.

“You didn’t run through any steps,” she told him.

He responded: “Well too bad tracey (sic).”

The terms and conditions on Mr Maddock’s website note a 24 hour refund window.

Ms Tilnak made multiple attempts to get a refund, but claims she was blocked by Mr Maddock and removed from the groups.

Now she claims she has she not received any services or any money back.

A Melbourne woman claims to have handed over $700, with messages showing that woman asking Mr Maddock for a refund as she too was under the impression it would be one-on-one coaching with him, and not “a bunch of random people”.

“Technically no refund at this stage my friend sorry,” he told her.

When she asked why and even for a partial refund he replied: “Unfortunately not i (sic) wish i (sic) could sorry.”

The dating “expert” who has amassed a global following has been accused of misleading clients and refusing refunds in his mission to profit from people looking for love.

She claimed she had no interactions from any of his “team” and she couldn’t believe she “fell for this”.

The woman, claiming to be in “incredibly tight financial position” said she was initially asked by Mr Maddock “how much she had in the bank” when she told him she couldn’t afford his course.

She was eventually given a partial refund.

Mr Maddock has been contacted for comment multiple times and seen texts with questions from the Bulletin - but has not responded.

Originally published as Queensland author and dating ‘expert’ Jake Maddock faces shocking allegations