Advertisement

Fake plastic surgeon sentenced to 4 years

DPA/The Local
DPA/The Local - [email protected]
Fake plastic surgeon sentenced to 4 years
Christian B. sits in court where he was sentenced to four years and three months in prison for falsely presenting himself as a doctor. Photo: DPA.

A man who performed cosmetic surgery on more than 50 different patients using fake medical certificates was sentenced to four years and three months in prison on Monday.

Advertisement

The man, identified by German media as Christian B., ran a successful but fraudulent business out of his apartment, posing as a plastic surgeon between 2012 and 2014.

He injected botox and silicone into his patients’ lips, cheeks and foreheads. The 31-year-old reportedly earned tens of thousands of euros during this time, which he kept in cash.

Christian B. had first performed cosmetic surgery on his own face, and later had to correct his own procedures. His lips were visibly enhanced during the trial.

The now 31-year-old managed to forge medical certificates and documents showing his portfolio of successful operations to advertise his business online.

His first patient was a club singer from Hannover who thought the procedure went so successfully that she spread accolades for the supposed surgeon around social media. Soon Christian B. had people lining up to get an appointment.

In total he injected botox and silicone into the faces of more than 50 different people.

But a concerned mother from Austria became suspicious of the authenticity of the doctor’s credentials and reported him to police. Many patients had reported painful swelling and numbness.

“Thank God that there were no serious consequences,” said the judge. The defendant also said during the trial that he was glad he was caught.

“He has expressed his remorse repeatedly,” the judge said in her ruling.

The defence argued that the faux-surgeon suffered from body dysmorphia, considering himself ugly and disfigured. He was also diagnosed with narcissistic personality disorder, meaning he lacked empathy to see the damage he was causing to others.  

Christian B.’s mental diagnoses allowed his sentence to be mitigated, the judge said, though she also recommended he seek psychological treatment while in prison.

The fake doctor had also asked to be placed in a drug detoxification centre because he said he was addicted to cocaine, but an independent medical expert found him not to be dependent.

More

Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.

Please log in to leave a comment.

See Also