Fitness influencers who publicly front a wellness brand are being linked to an underground market for steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs on Telegram, according to the report. The network was first known as Rohm and later reappeared under the name Anabolic By Nature after the original chat was shut down.
The report says a dozen people connected to Gencore Global — including ambassadors, affiliates and employees — were identified as taking part in the network. Together, they have more than 180,000 followers across TikTok and Instagram. Some were also seen recruiting others to join, with messages encouraging people to make content and earn commissions.
Gencore Global presents itself as a UK-based health and wellness company and has appeared at fitness events, sponsored a racehorse and launched a combat sports and influencer boxing promotion. Its website sells products including skincare, hair-loss treatments and supplements, and says it offers access to coaching and health checks. But the Telegram channels linked to its representatives were also advertising anabolic steroids, testosterone replacement therapy, prescription-only medicines and experimental peptides.
The report notes that anabolic steroids are legal to possess for personal use in the UK, but it is illegal to sell, supply or distribute them without a licence, and importing them without proper authorisation is also unlawful. It also says some of the peptides being promoted are unregulated or experimental, and that selling them with medicinal or wellness claims is illegal.
Source: theguardian.com
