The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has sent out thousands of fake slimming scam emails to warn UK consumers of ‘miracle’ slimming scams.
The email, which promotes the bogus product ‘Fat-Off,’ guarantees weight loss of up to 20lbs per week. The email then goes on to make clear that it has in fact been sent by the OFT to heighten awareness of the e-scams.
Research has shown that?around 150,000 women?are swindled out of ?20 million a year by phony weight-loss products that are supported by mock testimonials from satisfied customers and worthless endorsements by medical professionals.
Mike Haley, Director of Consumer Protection at the OFT, said: ‘Slimming scams prey on vulnerable people who are desperate to lose weight.
‘Unfortunately, victims are more likely to lose money than any weight. Anyone who is tempted to buy a slimming product should talk to a doctor or pharmacist before parting with any money.’
