February 1, 2026 — 4:00pm
The controversial biochemist at the heart of the Essendon supplements scandal has resurfaced in Dubai, launching a new anti-ageing clinic under an alias. Shane Charter, known as “Dr Ageless” and a convicted drug trafficker, is now operating under the name Shane Bakker at his newly established “longevity” center in the United Arab Emirates.
Despite the name change, Charter’s likeness is unmistakably featured on the website for Health Corp Dubai, a clinic reportedly based in the opulent Meydan Hotel. Charter, a former champion bodybuilder, played a pivotal role in the 2012 doping scandals involving the Essendon and Cronulla football clubs.
The Controversial Past of Shane Charter
Charter left Australia approximately two years ago following a life-threatening heart attack and a series of legal troubles. In 2022, a police raid on his Melbourne clinic uncovered steroids and human growth hormone, leading to criminal charges. Charter has not responded to inquiries regarding his recent name change.
The new clinic advertises “cutting-edge protocols using stem cells, peptides, IVs, and cellular repair.” According to its website, Health Corp Dubai aims to “empower individuals to extend their healthspan, optimize their biology, and realize their fullest potential through science-based, personalized, and innovative health solutions.”
Operational Ambiguities and Associations
The exact location of Health Corp Dubai’s treatments remains unclear, with the clinic listing its address as the business center of the Dubai hotel. Notably, the clinic is not registered in the UAE according to local records, but it is listed as a sole trading business in Australia under the name of a relative, with an Australian web address.
The business is reportedly managed alongside professional bodybuilders Adam Rochester and Calum von Moger, a three-time Mr. Universe and actor known for portraying Arnold Schwarzenegger.
“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 states.
Legal Troubles and Connections
In 2020, Charter faced fines from the Therapeutic Goods Administration for promoting a fraudulent “breakthrough” COVID-19 treatment. That same year, it was revealed that Charter had loaned $1 million to a health and wellness company led by former Liberal trade minister Andrew Robb.
Charter’s treatments have been endorsed by numerous underworld figures, including former bikie Toby Mitchell, who survived being shot six times in 2011, and Sam “The Punisher” Abdulrahim, who was shot eight times in 2022. Charter’s criminal history also includes a 2007 conviction for attempting to import 100,000 pseudoephedrine tablets, a key ingredient in amphetamine production, resulting in a nearly four-year jail sentence.
Implications and Future Outlook
The establishment of Health Corp Dubai under an alias raises questions about regulatory oversight and the ethical implications of Charter’s operations. As the clinic positions itself as a leader in longevity and performance enhancement, the scrutiny surrounding its legitimacy and Charter’s controversial past may intensify.
As Charter attempts to rebuild his life and career in Dubai, the international medical and regulatory communities will likely monitor the developments closely. The unfolding narrative of Shane Charter, now Shane Bakker, continues to captivate both supporters and critics alike.
