A boasting millionaire claims he uses double yellow lined-roads like 'VIP parking spots' - racking up more than 100 fines in the past year. Luke Desmaris says he's earning more than £100,000 per month through stock market trading so he'd prefer to 'save time' than find a regular spot.
A controversial video shows two clips of the 27-year-old casually walking from Harrods and the swanky Middle Eight Hotel towards his £90,000 BMW M4. Yellow fixed penalty notices (FPNs) can be seen on his windscreen, yet the voiceover explains 'broke people see a fine, but I see VIP parking'.
Luke has since claimed he's paid more than £7,000 in parking fines over the past 12 months, but he insists he doesn't care because his success means 'money doesn't matter'. The sixth-form dropout, who claims to own a £1.5million home, justified the stunt by explaining 'parking in London is a nightmare' and his 'time is valuable', so 'as long as he's not causing anyone harm he'll do what he wants'.
The video, shot last month has racked up three million views, with users split over whether the stunt is a 'life hack' or deserves a tougher fine than London's £65 FPNs. Luke said: "I see it as saving my time and my time is valuable. It's the convenience of it.
"If I can save my time by doing that then I will. It means I'm able to go home quicker to get back to trading. That's my logic behind it.
"I'll do it when I go shopping, especially in London. I'll just park it outside because It can be a nightmare to park otherwise.
"I started by getting a few here and there and ever since I started doing well, it doesn't matter. Money doesn't matter.
"I don't really have anything to say to [the critics]. I'll do what I want. I'm not inconveniencing anyone. If it's not causing anyone harm, then I'll do it.
"I'm not blocking anything or doing anything wrong apart from the rules state there's a yellow line there so you can't park there. In my eyes I'm not doing anything wrong.
"I've never been confronted by it. People have a lot to say online and run their mouths but in person it's different. At the end of the day, I don't care.
"If people have controversial videos which people are going to have opposing opinions on, you're going to get negative feedback so it doesn't bother me in the slightest.
"On that day, pretty much everyone had a ticket on that street. When I went to Harrods afterwards there were loads of people with tickets there. People just think 'why not?'."
Luke began trading around seven years ago when he grew tired with moving between delivery driving, retail jobs and the building trade. The millionaire runs an online course to teach people how to trade like him and he's grown more than 85,000 followers on TikTok.
He realised sharing his stunt may go viral due to its controversial nature, so a pal recorded it and he posted it later that day. The video, simply captioned 'VIP parking', has attracted more than 1,300 comments, with users split on whether it's a 'great idea' or if he should be fined even more.
One commented: "This is why fines should be proportionate to what you earn or per car. £30 for a Ford, £3k for a Ferrari." Another said: "Should get three points for parking fines."
Others simply commented to call Luke a 'b***end'. However, some TikTok users backed his stunt, with many claiming they do the same and others seeming grateful for the heads up.
One said: "In central London it's cheaper to get a parking fine than paying for a parking space for the day." Luke responded: "Exactly, life hack."
Another supported him saying: "Sweet bro. You're the man." One agreed: "I'm older than you and I've seen things exactly the same way as you for years - I couldn't agree more."
The City of London Corporation, who are the governing body of the City of London, say parking fines are typically £130 but are reduced to £65 if paid within 14 days of it being issued. The City of London Corporation has been contacted for comment.
