The Australian Digital Health Agency is warning consumers not to fall for a weight loss scam running via Facebook and using the My Health Record logo, promoting a miracle cure .
The ads suggest people can lose 45 kilograms with one teaspoon of a supplement.
Chief clinical adviser Dr Steve Hambleton said the scammers had misused the Agency’s My Health Record logo in the ads.
“This is nonsense. Government agencies don’t lend their logos to companies and My Health Record is a trusted brand, hence our warning,“ he said.
The ads have run through new, small Facebook pages and link to similarly formatted websites, despite each being hosted on different domains.
None of the websites has a name or organisation listed as part of its registration records but two claim to be registered in Iceland.
Dr Hambleton said scammers were insidious and looking to profit from people’s vulnerabilities.
“The use of the trusted My Health Record logo is cause for concern,” he said.
“Don’t fall for this scam.”
