Bayside Medical Scandal Deepens as Second Alleged Sham Doctor Slapped with Ban
Victorian health regulators have issued an interim ban against a second Melbourne man accused of pretending to be a doctor. The order follows a police investigation into alleged steroid trafficking and botched medical treatments.
A second Melbourne bayside man has been banned from providing health services in Victoria following an investigation into allegations that he masqueraded as a medical practitioner and administered unapproved treatments.
The Health Complaints Commissioner (HCC) issued an interim prohibition order and a public warning against Maher (Michael) Aboudargham. The order prevents him from delivering any health service in the state for at least 12 weeks, following identical action taken yesterday against his alleged co-offender, Assma (Sarah) Samadi.
Charges of Steroid Trafficking and Deception
The regulatory intervention comes after Victoria Police arrested the 39-year-old Aboudargham and the 32-year-old Samadi at a property in Brighton East on July 24. Authorities have charged the pair with two counts of trafficking steroids, possessing cocaine, possessing a drug of dependence and a schedule 4 poison, common law assault, and obtaining property by deception.
During searches of the Brighton East property and an apartment in Caulfield North, detectives reportedly uncovered a stash of cocaine alongside significant quantities of prescription medications, including testosterone, synthetic anabolic steroids, pain killers, and human growth hormones.
Unapproved Medications and Botched Treatments
Police allegations suggest the duo operated out of the Brighton East area, falsely representing Ms. Samadi as a registered medical practitioner and charging clients upwards of $20,000 for "botched treatments" since the beginning of the year. In one instance, the pair allegedly administered injections containing vitamins and protein powder under the guise of medical treatment, while also unlawfully supplying unapproved medications to a patient managing a chronic illness.
The HCC initiated its investigation last week after receiving a report concerning the unauthorised care. The watchdog is strongly advising the public not to seek services from either individual and to report any concerns to investigators.
Regulator Steps In
HCC Commissioner Bernice Redly emphasized that Victorian residents have a right to assume that health service providers are qualified, transparent about their credentials, and delivering safe, lawful care.
"Where I believe there is a serious risk to the public, I will not hesitate to take action," the adjunct professor stated.
"This public warning and interim prohibition order have been issued to protect the health and safety of the Victorian community while our investigation is ongoing," Commissioner Redly added.
Both individuals have been released on bail and are scheduled to appear in court this coming October.