I’m not sure you asked a question that you didn’t answer.
Any PADI Shop and/or PADI Representative knows: There is a path to train folks to what they desire to accomplish; and barring that training path, you are not to be involved in their folly. Encourage them to get the proper training and take their cash along the way. LOL
There is always huge potential liability in giving professional guidance, advise, and even demonstration by action or intent. So if a PADI Instructor told that person something like, "We have a class that can get you down to 165 feet, but it’s really not a (finger quote) requirement (finger quote - wink, wink)." That Instructor could lose in court and draw their shop down with them.