Several Facebook (FB) pages are peddling a scar removal cream that is said to be recommended by dermatologists. These are scam ads.
From Jan. 7 to Feb. 3, VERA Files Fact Check tagged four FB posts, each claiming the cream can remove all types of scars in just under a month.
To further legitimize the advertisement, people dressed in medical garb are shown selling the product. These posts include a link to similar websites where users can supposedly buy the product at a huge discount. These are scam websites that only collect personal information.
Not approved by FDA
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) previously warned the public in an October 2022 advisory against using and purchasing the liquid “Dr. Manila Crocodile Scar Removal Serum.”
The serum in question, alternatively named “Bearberry Melasma Treatment Serum” by one FB page, is not listed in the FDA’s record of food and drugs with certificates of product registration. “Therefore, consumption of such violative product may pose potential danger or injury to health,” the FDA stated.
To verify whether a medical product is legitimate, check out the FDA’s verification portal that lists all products – from food to medical devices – approved by the regulatory agency.
The Department of Health also advises the public to watch out for the following red flags used by health scammers to fool consumers:
- Adverts contain undocumented or anecdotal cases with amazing results. No science involved.
- The product is advertised as available from only one source.
- There is a money-back guarantee promise.
Altered photo with fake context
To make it appear that people are lining up to buy the product, one of the websites put up a photo of individuals holding bags with a “Dr. Manila” logo.
Through reverse image search, it was found that the original photo was actually published in June 2022 by a Vietnamese news media outlet, showing people buying discounted Apple products from a local distributor named TopZone.
FB pages Dr Manila – No.1 brand Doctor recommended (created on Feb. 1), Dr.Manila- Remove All Types Of Melasma (Dec. 6, 2022), Scar Streatment At Home – Dr Manila (June 6, 2022) and Manila Scar Clinic – No.1 Scar Treatment (July 20, 2022) published the scam posts, collectively garnering more than 8,300 reactions, 3,700 comments, 500 shares and 729,000 views.
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(Editor’s Note: VERA Files has partnered with Facebook to fight the spread of disinformation. Find out more about this partnership and our methodology.)
