How ‘fake doc’ allegedly handed out hundreds of fake exemptions

It’s been revealed how charity founder Maria Pau, revealed as the woman accused of posing as a doctor, was able to allegedly hand out hundreds of fake Covid-19 exemptions and gain clientele.

Police have revealed how Maria Pau, who was yesterday revealed as the woman accused of posing as a fake doctor, was able to allegedly hand out hundreds of fake Covid-related exemptions.

Pau, 45, who also goes by the name of Maria Power, is the first person to be charged with taking a title indicating a person is a health practitioner under Health Practitioner Regulation National Law.

Maria Pau, also known as Maria Power, is accused of being a fake doctor who allegedly handed out fake Covid exemptions.

Pau was slapped with five counts of the one offence.

Police will allege she granted about 600 fake exemptions for tests, vaccines and wearing masks.

On Friday, police revealed Pau had been holding online “consultations”, and was gaining clients through word of mouth.

“Consultations were conducted via Zoom meetings,” a police spokesperson said.

“Inquiries are still under way to establish the validity and consistency of this approach.

“We are aware that the referrals were by word of mouth and various social media platforms.”

Police say they have not been able to locate a website used by Pau for the purpose of gaining customers.

Pau, who is listed as being a founder of registered “subtype of charity”, Coaching With Substance, allegedly sold the fake exemptions for up to $150 each.

Pau was unapologetic for allegedly charging ‘customers’ up to $150 for the fake exemptions.

Police said those who purchased or used the bogus certificates could face potential prosecution if police are able to prove they knowingly accessed the fake exemptions. Deputy Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski said police consider the incident “quite serious” and their main priority was chasing down the estimated 600 people with fake medical Covid-19 exemptions.

“What are those certificates being used for?” he said.

“Because they really have no substance.”

Mr Gollschewski said an investigation was under way and police would be taking evidence from the woman who was charged.

“That will take a little bit of time.”

He said that because a lot of the scam was undertaken online, police will be able to conduct a large portion of it online through tracking people down and properly identifying them.

Mr Gollschewski said he could not rule out that there were more people attempting similar scams.

“It’s hard to say how many people may be doing this.”

“All I’m simply doing is protecting the people that don’t want to suffer the adverse effects of Covid-19 PCR tests,” Pau said.

Although not a registered medical practitioner, Pau was unapologetic about allegedly handing out the fake exemptions.

“All I’m simply doing is protecting the people that don’t want to suffer the adverse effects of Covid-19 PCR tests,” she said in a media interview on Thursday.

While detectives spoke with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency in relation to the woman.

“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,” Queensland Police Detective Acting Inspector Damien Powell said on Thursday.

Pau, who speaks openly about her prior substance abuse, said as part of her work Coaching with Substance, she shows “clients” the “enzymes, vitamins, minerals and weight management products” to help them “remain beautiful, slender and energetic.”

She says the products she recommends also “help those with addiction to stay healthy.”

Pau claims to also dabble in modelling and says she is experienced in the entertainment and fashion industries.

Pau claims to be a doctor, despite not being a registered practitioner.

Pau is also the main feature of a web page called find10kfast.com, which refers to itself as the “most powerful and dynamic client attraction program ever created”.

The website has sub sections including “higher prices, “more profits”, “build a million dollar business” and “one-on-one coaching”.

“Do you spend countless hours attempting to generate leads, attract new clients and increase your revenue and profits … but see very little in the way of results?” the coaching section says.

“Have you finally made the decision it’s time to get help from true professionals who do this every day … do it successfully … and have a proven track record for making millions of dollars for businesses just like yours?”

Originally published as How ‘fake doc’ allegedly handed out hundreds of fake exemptions