Swine flu scams galore on the Internet

These scams are thriving on the Internet where dubious sterilizers, pills to enhance the immune system, shielding shampoos, protective face masks and even phony Tamiflu are being sold to prevent, treat or diagnose the H1N1 influenza.

Disappointing and frustrating
The scam artists, paying scant respect to human values, are leaving no stone unturned to capitalize on the public's fears and make a quick buck. The World’s problem has become a sales opportunity for these conmen.

"It's harmful, disappointing, frustrating to see folks take advantage of the public like this," said Dr. John Santa, who evaluates health claims for Consumer Reports.

Ever since the current swine flu pandemic broke out in May 2009, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued strict warnings to over 75 websites advising them to withdraw bogus swine flu claims or halt the sales of more than 140 products.

But as is the case with the swine flu, these dubious websites, selling counterfeit products, continue to proliferate.

"Unfortunately anytime there something headlined in the news that scares people, you can bet there's going to be a cure for it on the internet right away," said Kathy Graham, President and CEO of the Better Business Bureau of Coastal Carolina.

Lot of uncertainties
So as a customer you never really know what you're taking when you buy on the World Wide Web. Not only do such purchases put one’s health in jeopardy, but they also give a false sense of security.

Graham says that the moment you buy on the Internet, “You don't know what's in the product. You don't know where it's been manufactured. You don't know what's in the product. You don't know what you're getting. You have no clue, especially when you order it off the internet."

Fake Tamiflu
Tamiflu and GlaxoSmithKline's Relenza are the only two FDA approved drugs for treating swine flu. The sites that sell Tamiflu without a prescription abound.

Tests conducted by the FDA on different products revealed that most products did not have Tamiflu content. In fact, one of the so-called Tamiflu contained only powdered talc and generic Tylenol.

The federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry avers that such products may have adverse health effects, leave aside the healing.

"Swine flu or H1N1 is a global issue. That's a big pond for scammers to fish in. If the Food and Drug Administration hasn't passed it, then you need to be very careful," cautions Graham.