February 1, 2026 — 4:00pm
Shane Charter, a biochemist notorious for his involvement in the Essendon supplements scandal, has resurfaced in Dubai, launching a specialist anti-ageing clinic under the alias Shane Bakker. The 57-year-old, previously convicted of drug trafficking and known as “Dr Ageless,” has established the Health Corp Dubai clinic, which claims to offer advanced longevity treatments.
The clinic is reportedly headquartered in the opulent Meydan Hotel, though Charter’s use of his own photograph on the clinic’s website raises questions about the efficacy of his assumed identity. This development follows Charter’s departure from Australia two years ago, after a heart attack and a series of legal troubles, including a police raid on his Melbourne clinic that uncovered steroids and human growth hormone.
From Scandal to New Beginnings
Charter, a former champion bodybuilder, was a central figure in the 2012 doping scandals involving the Essendon and Cronulla football clubs. His new venture in Dubai promises “cutting-edge protocols using stem cells, peptides, IVs, and cellular repair.” The clinic’s mission statement emphasizes a commitment to extending healthspan and optimizing biology through personalized health solutions.
“At Health Corp, our mission is to empower individuals to extend their healthspan, optimise their biology, and realise their fullest potential through science-based, personalised, and innovative health solutions,” the website states.
Despite the clinic’s ambitious claims, it remains unregistered in the UAE according to local records. Instead, it is listed as a sole trading business in Australia under a relative’s name and operates with an Australian web address.
Controversial Collaborations and Past Legal Issues
Health Corp Dubai is run alongside professional bodybuilders Adam Rochester and Calum von Moger, a three-time Mr. Universe winner and actor known for portraying Arnold Schwarzenegger. Charter’s past, however, continues to cast a shadow over his new enterprise. In 2020, he faced fines from the Therapeutic Goods Administration for promoting a fake COVID-19 treatment. That same year, he was linked to a $1 million loan to a health and wellness company managed by former Liberal trade minister Andrew Robb.
Charter’s treatments have reportedly been favored by several underworld figures, including former bikie Toby Mitchell and Sam “The Punisher” Abdulrahim, both of whom survived multiple gunshot wounds. In 2007, Charter was sentenced to nearly four years in prison for attempting to import 100,000 pseudoephedrine tablets, a key ingredient in amphetamine production.
“Shane brings more than 20 years of experience in precision health, biotechnology, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and clinical wellbeing. His vision drives Health Corp’s evolution into a world-leading longevity and performance institute,” the Health Corp Dubai website claims.
The Road Ahead for Health Corp Dubai
The opening of Health Corp Dubai raises significant questions about the regulation of alternative medicine clinics in the UAE and the ethical implications of Charter’s continued involvement in the health sector. Experts warn that while the promise of longevity and enhanced performance is enticing, potential clients should exercise caution and verify the legitimacy of such services.
As Charter attempts to reinvent himself in Dubai, the international community will be watching closely. The implications of his past actions and the legitimacy of his current operations could have far-reaching consequences for both his personal reputation and the broader field of alternative medicine.
For now, the future of Health Corp Dubai remains uncertain, as does the potential impact of Charter’s controversial history on his latest venture.
