Richie McCaw is considering legal action for CBD gummy scam

All black legend Richie McCaw is considering taking legal action against a company that sells CBD (Cannabidiol) products under his name without consent.

McCaw and his wife Gemma warned their followers on company social media that it appears to be a scam Wednesday night.

Richie Mccaw CBD Gummies NZ products promise to “lessen the torment” and “remarkably help with stress.”

In an Instagram post, Gemma wrote that the couple “in no way” endorse the product.

“It has come to our attention that the image of Richie McCaw has been used to sell these CBD gummies,” he said.

“We are in no way endorsing this product that is taking money from people here in New Zealand.”

“This website is unauthorized and we would hate for anyone to think that Rich endorses this product in any way.”

McCaw’s agent, Dean Hegan of Halo Sport, said legal action was being considered, but noted that it was proving “reasonably difficult” to find the source of the scam.

“Richie is not involved with that company at all and using images like the ones they have is very disappointing,” he said.

Hegan said McCaw’s camp had been aware of the scam for a few weeks. Given McCaw’s famously healthy lifestyle, Hegan said it was frustrating to be associated with any product, particularly one that could cause harm.

“We have sympathy for anyone who has been involved in this, hopefully people see it for what it is.”

It is not the first time that McCaw’s image has been involved in a scam.

In 2019, McCaw was one of the prominent New Zealanders whose image had been used without permission by social media accounts spreading fake news to promote fake get-rich schemes.

A McCaw spokesman, Halo Sport CEO Simon Porter, said they had tried in the past to track down the administrators of these websites and demand that the images and the like be removed.

But he said they are often difficult to track down and then notoriously difficult to pin down, if they are involved at all.

“While it can be annoying at times, we think trusting the public to see through the bullshit is the best approach.”

McCaw recently won the coveted Sportsman of the Decade gong at the 58th Halberg Awards in Auckland.

Richie and Gemma McCaw are expecting their second child later this year.

Sports legends announced the news in January, saying their little daughter Charlotte “can’t wait to be a big sister.”