It is inconceivable that anyone would fall for a snake oil scam today, yet victims keep popping up. The rate at which people are nabbed every other week shows that the trick still works nearly 200 years later. Snake oil was one of the most popular cure-alls, and due to its doubtful effectiveness, it quickly became a trademark for all such fraudulent schemes.
Read Also: FDA Enforcing Strict Actions On Illegal Dietary Supplements
Each year, consumers all over the globe spend billions of dollars on products and services to enhance their fitness and overall health. However, a large portion of that money is given to businesses that falsely advertise these products and therapies, defrauding consumers of their money, time, and even health.
Miracle cure scams span a wide range of goods and services that may at first glance seem to be authentic, complementary, and alternative therapies. They typically make rapid and simple claims for major medical ailments, offering a 100% money-back guarantee. All these are just tactics to make gullible people part with their money.
Scammers peddle miracle supplements to Muslims
Over the past ten years, there has been somewhat of a boom in the worldwide supplement business. Given the shifting consumer views regarding health and wellness, it’s a very profitable industry. Many adults and children take one or more dietary supplements as required.
However, there has been a rising trend in the Islamic world where scammers peddle supplements as part of a long and dishonorable tradition of using people’s concerns about their health as a means of financial gain.
They play “dress up” as Imams on TV and on social media, claiming that it is of great benefit to purchase these supplements. Oftentimes, they enhance this process by quoting some parts of the Quran and the hadith.
These salesmen exploit situations where an outbreak of coronavirus, Ebola, or Lassa fever generates international attention. It would not be surprising to discover that they made a truckload of cash from the coronavirus pandemic situation in 2020.
Along with giving victims’ wallets a lift, these deceptions also give them false hope. They can cause individuals to postpone or discontinue treatments that have been proven effective.
Ever wonder why these salesmen can be very convincing? It might be challenging to tell a believable claim from a false one. It’s nearly impossible to stay on top of all the fresh studies, trends, warnings, and cure frauds that are out in the world today.
The great downside of this venture
Supplements could help deliver certain nutrients that are lacking in the body. They can be used to address deficiencies, such as iron deficiency, or lower the risk of illnesses, like hypertension.
However, these medicines may include components that are not stated or interact in unsafe ways with prescriptions they are already taking.
Numerous supplements have active substances that have potent physiological effects, like heightened blood pressure, a racing or irregular pulse, headaches, dizziness, or stomach issues. Although their potential benefits are widely publicized, their potential negative consequences are less well known.
How to spot these fraudsters
Bro marketing (self-serving, short-term gain sales tactics) is often practiced by these salesmen. It is the practice of using deceptive marketing strategies to pressure consumers into making purchases by placing them in a precarious position. They are likely to appear with speeches claiming that the purchase of the supplements is a directive from Allah while also quoting some passages from the Qur’an to support their claim. Beware of people who describe themselves as gurus and “know-it-alls”.
Conclusion
Deceptive tactics exploiting revered texts like the Quran and Hadith to market dubious goods reflect societal vulnerabilities. Despite genuine products in health and wellness, the presence of fraud remains. As consumers, diligence, education, and judicious decision-making are vital. The timeless wisdom resonates: when an offer appears overly favorable, skepticism is warranted. Such deceit emphasizes the continuous necessity for alertness and prudent selections. If it looks too good to be true, it probably isn’t. The true puzzle is why there is such a thriving scam industry; the answer can only be that many of us continue to fall for snake oil.
References
Robinson, P. (2013, April 8). The truth about snake oil? Chemistry World. https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/the-truth-about-snake-oil/6044.article
