Jake Maddock, a controversial love coach, has attributed numerous complaints about his online services to what he describes as "clients from hell." The former prison guard and soldier, who transitioned into matchmaking, has faced scrutiny since A Current Affair raised concerns over his practices in May, during which Maddock abruptly left an interview.
In his recent comments from Hervey Bay, Queensland, Maddock suggested that, given the vast number of clients he has coached, it is inevitable that he would encounter problematic individuals. He emphasised, "If you coach enough people… eventually you’re going to run into some that are very bad." Maddock expressed frustration about receiving backlash, insisting that a large proportion of people dislike his advice, and he denied allegations of pressuring clients into paying exorbitant fees for undelivered services.
One of his former clients, Natasha, accused Maddock of exploiting her vulnerability after she ended a long marriage. She claimed to have initially paid $3,000 and was subsequently pressured for an additional $6,000 for a "lifetime commitment."
The controversy deepened as A Current Affair found disturbing posts on a Facebook account allegedly belonging to Maddock, featuring offensive and troubling comments. One post made light of inappropriate conduct on public transport, while another described a derogatory scenario regarding hiring a sex worker. Maddock has not addressed these specific allegations.
The accusations and experiences shared by clients have led to increased scrutiny of his practices, with many questioning the ethics behind his coaching methods.