London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Wednesday, Jul 02, 2025

Frank Ludlow admits selling fake cures to the US

A man has pleaded guilty to selling fake coronavirus cure kits to people in France and the United States.

Frank Ludlow, 59, was caught by City of London Police trying to send dozens of parcels of fake remedies in a post office near his West Sussex home.

Judge William Mousley said father-of-two Ludlow contacted national governments and "took advantage of an international crisis".

Ludlow was given a suspended 10-month sentence at Portsmouth Crown Court.

American custom officials had intercepted Ludlow's fake kits at Los Angeles International Airport, with his "Trinity Covid-19 SARS Antipathogenic Treatment" labels attached, the court was told.

His address was also found by the officials who alerted City of London Police on 23 March.

Hours later, officers went to a post office in Petersfield, Hampshire, to ask for a description of the person who had been sending the packages.

The court heard while officers were talking to staff Ludlow walked in with more packages addressed to France, Shoreham and New York.

Prosecutor Steven Hopper said: "Mr Ludlow admitted to making the product and had been making it for 17 years.

"Despite saying his cures had had not been officially tested, Mr Ludlow told police he was confident it took out 'all viral infections'."

Ludlow "made elaborate claims" about wanting to make 1,000 kits a week and he sent a message to a friend saying "Thank god for Covid-19", Mr Hopper added.


'Say a prayer'

Ludlow admitted three medical product offences but denied fraud charges which were to lie on file, Judge Mousley said.

"You were exposing customers, attempting to bypass the regulatory body and take advantage of an international crisis" the judge told him.

Defence barrister Ben Smitten said Ludlow had spent time in custody and while in lockdown was only allowed out one hour a day.

Speaking after sentencing, Det Ch Supt Clinton Blackburn warned criminals were "preying on people's fears and anxieties" around coronavirus.

"The kits produced by Ludlow were unlawful and untested," he said.

"They gave false hope to vulnerable people and their families, offering no medical benefit."

Ludlow is still facing prosecution in the United States.

US officials said people who bought the kits were instructed to "add 18 ounces of water, say a prayer, drink half of the solution, take a probiotic along with bee pollen, and then ingest the remainder of the solution".

Between May 2017 and March 2020, Ludlow sold a connection in Utah between 300 and 400 of these "treatments" for $50 per kit, many of which she gave away, but some of which she sold for as much as $200, an affidavit stated.

Ludlow has been charged with one count of introducing misbranded drugs into interstate commerce, a felony offence that carries a maximum sentence of three years in federal prison.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Poland Implements Border Checks Amid Growing Migration Tensions
Political Dispute Escalates Between Trump and Musk
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
Amazon Reaches Milestone with Deployment of One Millionth Robot
US Senate Votes to Remove AI Regulation Moratorium from Domestic Policy Bill
Yulia Putintseva Calls for Spectator Ejection at Wimbledon Over Safety Concerns
Jury Deliberations in Diddy Trial Yield Partial Verdict in Serious Criminal Charges
House Oversight Committee Subpoenas Former Jill Biden Aide Amid Investigation into Alleged Concealment of President Biden's Cognitive Health
King Charles Plans Significant Role for Prince Harry in Coronation
Two Chinese Nationals Arrested for Espionage Activities Against U.S. Navy
Amazon Reaches Major Automation Milestone with Over One Million Robots
Extreme Heat Wave Sweeps Across Europe, Hitting Record Temperatures
Meta Announces Formation of Ambitious AI Unit, Meta Superintelligence Labs
Robots Compete in Football Tournament in China Amid Injuries
Trump Administration Considers Withdrawal of Funding for Hospitals Providing Gender Treatment to Minors
Texas Enacts Law Allowing Gold and Silver Transactions
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
OpenAI Secures Multimillion-Dollar AI Contracts with Pentagon, India, and Grab
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Germany Votes to Suspend Family Reunification for Asylum Seekers
Elon Musk Critiques Senate Budget Proposal Over Job Losses and Strategic Risks
Los Angeles Riots ended with Federal Investigations into Funding
Budapest Pride Parade Draws 200,000 Participants Amid Government Ban
Southern Europe Experiences Extreme Heat
Xiaomi's YU7 SUV Launch Garners Record Pre-Orders Amid Market Challenges
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's Lavish Wedding in Venice
Russia Launches Largest Air Assault on Ukraine Since Invasion
Education Secretary Announces Overhaul of Complaints System Amid Rising Parental Grievances
Massive Anti-Government Protests Erupt in Belgrade
Trump Ends Trade Talks with Canada Over Digital Services Tax
UK Government Softens Welfare Reform Plans Amid Labour Party Rebellion
Labour Faces Rebellion Over Disability Benefit Reforms Ahead of Key Vote
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Host Lavish Wedding in Venice Amid Protests
Trump Asserts Readiness for Further Strikes on Iran Amid Nuclear Tensions
North Korea to Open New Beach Resort to Boost Tourism Economy
UK Labour Party Faces Internal Tensions Over Welfare Reforms
Andrew Cuomo Hints at Potential November Comeback Amid Democratic Primary Results
Curtis Sliwa Champions His Vision for New York City Amid Rising Crime Concerns
Federal Reserve Proposes Changes to Capital Rule Affecting Major Banks
EU TO HUNGARY: LET THEM PRIDE OR PREP FOR SHADE. ORBÁN TO EU: STAY IN YOUR LANE AND FIX YOUR OWN MESS.
Trump Escalates Criticism of Media Over Iran Strike Coverage
Trump Announces Upcoming US-Iran Meeting Amid Controversial Airstrikes
Trump Moves to Reshape Middle East Following Israel-Iran Conflict
Big Four Accounting Firms Fined in Exam Cheating Scandal
NATO Members Agree to 5% Defense Spending Target by 2035
Australia's Star Casino Secures $195 Million Rescue Package Amid Challenges
UK to Enhance Nuclear Capabilities with Acquisition of F-35A Fighter Jets
Russian Shadow Payments via Cryptocurrency Reach $9 Billion
Explosions Rock Doha as Iranian Missiles Target Qatar
“You Have 12 Hours to Flee”: Israeli Threat Campaign Targets Surviving Iranian Officials
×