‘$450 for a bundle of three’: ‘Fake doctor’ back at work
A ‘fake doctor’ with a huge social media following, facing charges for selling hundreds of fraudulent Covid-19 exemptions, has ‘resumed’ work.
Police & Courts
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Police are investigating Facebook messages that appear to advertise the “resumed” work of “fake doctor” Maria Power as she faces charges for selling hundreds of fraudulent Covid-19 exemptions.
Maria Pau, who goes by “Dr Maria Power”, was charged in October with five counts of taking a title indicating a person is a health practitioner.
Police will allege she sold 600 fake Covid-19 related exemptions, does not have a medical degree and is not registered with Medicare.
But in a Facebook message obtained by The Courier-Mail, Ms Pau appeared to continue to spruik her services, offering exemptions for $150 or $450 for a bundle of three - vaccination, mask wearing and PCR tests.
“Dr Maria (has) resumed her medical exemption consultation,” the message said.
“You just need to look for a date in the scheduler below.”
The message provided a link to a form where the person seeking an exemption can fill out medical information, including whether they had a family history of deaths due to cancer, cardiac or heart issues or diabetes.
It also asks for allergies, medical conditions, whether you are a police officer, government worker or health worker.
“Are you facing ‘mandated’ Covid-19 deadline and restrictions?” one of the questions asks.
“Dr Maria Power has successfully completed 15 years of formal undergraduate/postgraduate studies at prominent universities in Australia,” a disclaimer on the booking page said.
“She is not a registered AHPRA medical doctor.”
The medical form states that exemptions will be sent around two weeks after the Zoom consultation.
“As there is an 8-month waitlist for a consult, filling this form and paying a non-refundable deposit of $150 (for a 30 min consult) will ensure you secure a spot for consultation/exemption assessment appointment and remain in the queue,” the form stated.
The booking system appears to have appointments available in January.
Ms Pau, from the Gold Coast, was the first person in Queensland charged under Health Practitioner Regulation National Law.
At the time of her October arrest, Detective Acting Inspector Damien Powell said police spoke with the Health Practitioner Regulation Agency after being contacted by a member of the public.
“They made us aware that they had also received some information in relation to this person and a check of their records, which revealed that this person was not registered as a practitioner, a health practitioner in Australia,” he said.
Det Insp Powell said she held a research doctorate but not a medical degree.
On January 9, Ms Pau posted a meme on her Facebook that said: “New variant just discovered called: Anothercon.”
When asked about the message stating Ms Pau had resumed medical exemptions, a police spokesman said: “While initial charges remain before the court, investigators are continuing their inquiries into the matter.”
Ms Pau could not be reached for comment yesterday.
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