HOLLYWOOD - APRIL 26: Actor Keith Middlebrook arrives at the world premiere of Paramount Pictures and Marvel Entertainment's 'Iron Man 2 held at El Capitan Theatre on April 26, 2010 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

The FBI has arrested actor Keith Middlebrook, who had uncredited roles in Thor and Iron Man 2, after he tried to sell a cure for the coronavirus.

Middlebrook, who is based in Southern California, is believed to have falsely claimed that he was in possession of the antidote, in an attempt to receive funds and investment from numerous companies.

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The U.S. Department Of Justice released a statement on Wednesday detailing how Middlebrook had told his Instagram followers that his company would be able to make them hundreds of millions of dollars if they invested, as he insisted he had pills that would stop COVID-19 infections.

Middlebrook also sent out text messages saying that a coronavirus victim from Los Angeles had “got up and walked 51 hours after” being injected.

View photos WESTWOOD, CA - DECEMBER 11: Actor Keith Middlebrook arrives at the premiere of 20th Century Fox's "Marley & Me" held at the Mann Village Theater on December 11, 2008 in Westwood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) More

The 53-year-old even insisted that Magic Johnson, the former basketball star, was one of the major investors, a claim that the athlete roundly denied after being approached by investigators.

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According to Time, United States Attorney Nick Hanna said, “During these difficult days, scams like this are using blatant lies to prey upon our fears and weaknesses. While this may be the first federal criminal case in the nation stemming from the pandemic, it certainly will not be the last.”

“I again am urging everyone to be extremely wary of outlandish medical claims and false promises of immense profits. And to those who perpetrate these schemes, know that federal authorities are out in force to protect all Americans, and we will move aggressively against anyone seeking to cheat the public during this critical time."