Social Media Fitness Icon “Liver King” Faces Legal Reckoning Over Fraud Allegations

In a dramatic turn of events, Brian Johnson, the controversial social media personality known as “Liver King,” was arrested on June 15, 2024, following a federal investigation into allegations of financial fraud and deceptive marketing practices. The self-proclaimed “ancestral lifestyle” advocate, who amassed millions of followers promoting raw meat diets and extreme fitness regimens, now faces charges that could upend his empire and send shockwaves through the wellness industry.

Background: The Rise of a Carnivore Crusader Johnson rose to fame in 2021 by advocating a primordial diet centered on raw organ meats, cold exposure, and grueling physical challenges. His branding as a modern “apex predator” resonated with fitness enthusiasts, earning him 5.2 million Instagram followers and lucrative supplement sales. However, critics long questioned the safety of his recommendations and the authenticity of his claims about living “as nature intended.”

The Allegations: SEC Charges Unveil Contradictions The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) indictment alleges Johnson and his company, Ancestral Lifestyle LLC, deceived consumers through undisclosed paid promotions and fabricated success stories. Authorities claim he received over $1.2 million from supplement manufacturers to endorse products he falsely portrayed as integral to his lifestyle. Of particular concern are allegations that Johnson promoted high-risk investments in wellness startups without disclosing his financial stakes. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison for wire fraud and violations of the Federal Trade Commission Act.

Legal Implications: A Test Case for Influencer Accountability Legal experts suggest this case could redefine transparency standards for online influencers. “The Liver King prosecution sets a precedent,” says Dr. Emily Torres, a consumer law professor at Stanford University. “It signals regulators are scrutinizing how social media personalities profit from undisclosed partnerships, especially in industries impacting public health.” The Federal Trade Commission has simultaneously proposed new guidelines requiring explicit disclosures for sponsored health products.

Public Reaction: Divided Responses From Followers and Critics Fans flooded social media with support, citing Johnsons mental health advocacy and charity work. “He changed my life—this has to be a misunderstanding,” tweeted @CarnivoreQueen. Conversely, nutritionists like Dr. Priya Patel applauded the arrest: “Promoting unregulated supplements as cure-alls is dangerous. This reckoning was inevitable.” Market analysts note a 34% drop in liver supplement sales since the news broke.

健身網紅「肝臟王」涉詐騙被捕 掀健康產品監管爭議

以生食內臟及原始生活方式聞名的美國健身網紅「肝臟王」（本名Brian Johnson），6月15日因涉嫌詐騙及虛假宣傳遭警方拘捕，事件引發本港業界關注跨國網紅營銷的監管漏洞。作為亞洲保健品主要轉口港，此案再度掀起關於規管社交媒體健康聲明的討論。

起底「原始生活」商業王國 Johnson憑「重返人類狩獵採集本能」理念，在TikTok及Instagram吸納逾500萬追隨者，其推銷的動物內臟補充劑透過跨境電商平台熱銷至香港及內地市場。然而，香港海關紀錄顯示，去年曾檢獲三批由其公司代理、標籤成分不實的牛肝膠囊，但因買家多屬私人集運，難以全面追查。

控罪詳情：隱瞞贊助與投資詐騙 根據美國證交會（SEC）起訴書，Johnson被控收受保健品生產商逾156萬美元（約1,217萬港元）秘密報酬，以「真實體驗」為名進行推廣。更嚴重的是，他涉嫌慫恿追隨者投資多家未具牌照的保健初創企業，卻未披露自己持有相關公司股權。若罪名成立，最高可判監20年。

本港法律界：跨境電商成監管灰色地帶 香港執業大律師陳永昌指出，本案反映跨境網紅營銷的法律風險：「根據《商品說明條例》，在本港銷售的保健品若涉及失實陳述，海關有權起訴。但當推廣行為發生於境外，取證便面臨挑戰。」消費者委員會數據顯示，2023年接獲涉及網紅推薦保健品的投訴較前年增加67%。

業界回響：KOL宣傳文化面臨轉折 事件在本港健身圈引發熱議。銅鑼灣健身教練李俊傑表示：「學員常詢問模仿『肝臟王』飲食法，我們必須更謹慎評估網絡資訊。」有本地保健品進口商已開始重新審視與海外KOL的合作條款。食物及衞生局回應查詢時稱，正研究加強對社交媒體健康產品廣告的巡查機制。