Scammers Posing As Prominent Conservatives Peddle Fake COVID Cure

Telegram channels disguised as prominent right-wing figures are touting supplements that appear to prevent COVID-19. Some channels even claim that the supplement Meticore “kills all infections.”

Read one “only 6 bottles to improve health and protection from the famous COVID-19!”

Channels claiming about Meticoa claim to be Melania Trump, Julian Assange, Mel Gibson, Steve Bannon, Senator Rand Paul (Kentucky), Michael Jackson, and more. Some channels target specific interests such as: [Ghislaine] Maxwell Trial Tracker, Drain the Swamp, and the Storm is Here — A clear reference to the QAnon conspiracy theory. Most channels have tens of thousands or more subscribers.

None of the channels have been validated and appear to be fraudulent. Many, but not all, are labeled by Telegram as “scams” or “fake.” Mel Gibson, an actor who is not labeled as fraudulent or fake, has about 130,000 subscribers. Gibson’s representative previously confirmed to The Daily Dot that the actor was not active on Telegram.

Meticore is primarily sold as a weight loss supplement. The website where The Daily Dot found all Telegram channels claims that hypothermia is the root cause of hypometabolism and therefore weight gain. Meticore states that he uses a “unique blend” of plants and nutrients to “target hypothermia” and achieve “trigger and supercharged metabolism.”

This website does not mention COVID and does not claim that Meticore cures infections and other illnesses. Most of the online content about Meticore exclusively claims that it stimulates weight loss.

Protection from COVID seems like a new twist.

Much of what is written about Meticore online is positive, but there is one notable exception. The review of the Better Business Bureau profile is overwhelmingly negative. Many claim that it is a “scam” and that the company is not fulfilling its promise. They also say it charged them more than expected and refused to respect their money-back guarantee.

“I gained 10 pounds in almost three months of taking this product,” one wrote. “I don’t blame them. I blame me for being fraudulent.”

Meticore’s customer service rating on the Better Business Bureau is 1.04 out of 5 stars.

Previously, Telegram Channel advertised Meticore’s potential weight loss capabilities. Most recently, they have begun to push forward with the claim that it prevents COVID and cures the infection. The same channel has sold Trump brand coins in the past.

It’s not clear how much Meticore is involved in the Telegram channel. Meticore did not respond to inquiries sent by email on Monday afternoon.

It is also unclear if any of the right-wing figures have approved the use of their names and portraits to sell Meticoa. Former President Trump, Melania Trump, and Mike Pompeo’s representatives did not respond to requests for comment on Monday afternoon, although front and back photos were used to promote Meticoa’s alleged interests. None of the above individuals are known to have an official Telegram account.

Also, it is not clear whether this is a network controlled by one individual, each channel controlled by an individual individual or entity, or a combination thereof. However, some or all of the Telegram channels may be linked, especially because posts from different channels use the same image and language.

“Tucker Carlson has released great news that METICORE is a cure for all” modern “illnesses and excellent protection from Covid-19,” owned by Carolyn Bessette Kennedy. One of the channels that seems to be there says.

The same post was made by Steve Bannon’s official channel. Both posts were made within a few hours on Monday.

Many of Telegram’s posts about Meticore include Photoshop images of Tucker Carlson’s show, press conferences, and photos that appear to have been taken before and after using Meticore. Some use real footage, such as when Trump was addressed to the country after recovering from COVID, but misunderstands that footage as referring to Meticore.

Some Telegram posts suggest that the writer may not be very familiar with English, or that the captions were originally written in another language and translated automatically. “Covid-19 attacks people of heavier weight,” reads the captions that appear in some posts.

Some posts incorporate words that are reminiscent of the QAnon conspiracy theory.

Many use references that may appeal to Trump supporters. Some argue that President Joe Biden is trying to ban Meticoa. Many say that 2 million units have been sold in a few days. Many posts use the old tactic of claiming a shortage of supplies.

The URL it contains is a Bitly address that contains phrases such as “Trump’s cure” and “Melania weight loss.”

The Daily Dot also contacted the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Monday, but did not receive a reply.

It’s unclear how much revenue has been earned since the Telegram account first started promoting Meticore.