Fake health products are a multi-billion-dollar threat to public health worldwide. From fake slimming teas to counterfeit antimalarials, they cost lives, waste money, and erode trust in healthcare systems. The problem is especially dangerous in low- and middle-income countries where regulatory systems are overstretched. Drawing insights from Contra Health Scam reviews and recent cases in Nigeria, Africa, and beyond, here are seven key red flags to help you spot fake or dangerous health products — plus real examples.
Table of Contents
- 1. Unknown or Unverifiable Manufacturers
- 2. Fake or Stolen Testimonials
- 3. Exaggerated or Misleading Claims
- 4. Pressure Tactics and Urgency
- 5. Hidden or Misleading Pricing & Refund Policies
- 6. Shady or Absent Scientific Evidence
- 7. Anonymous or Misleading Contact Information
- Other Recent Case Studies: Africa & Beyond
- How to Protect Yourself
- Conclusion
1. Unknown or Unverifiable Manufacturers
A legitimate product will clearly state who makes it, with verifiable details about their origin, location, relevant qualifications, and contact information. Fake health products often hide behind non-existent or unverifiable names or companies.
- Example: The author of Sonu’s Diabetes Secret, “Karen Richardson”, was nowhere to be found for verification of identity and qualifications. Similarly, Yeast Infection No More claims authorship by “Linda Allen,” a supposed medical researcher, but Contra Health Scam found that Linda Allen does not exist.
- In Nigeria, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned of Wonder Calcium, which falsely claims to be manufactured by Asad Pharmaceutical Ltd. with a fake NAFDAC number. The real Asad Pharmaceutical Ltd. disclaimed ever having made the product.
2. Fake or Stolen Testimonials
Fraudulent health products often use stock photos/videos, stolen photos, paid actors, or doctored videos to “prove” their effectiveness.
- Example: Sonu’s Diabetes Secret uses stock videos as testimonials.
- Global Example: In 2024, UK authorities flagged AI-generated deepfake videos of celebrity doctors and personalities endorsing fake supplements. These videos often have high follower counts, mix real and fake content, and misattribute statements.
If testimonials are too perfect, too emotional, or you discover identical photos used elsewhere, that’s a red flag.
3. Exaggerated or Misleading Claims
If a health product promises miraculous results (“cure diabetes in 3 days,” “lose 10 kg in a week”), it is almost certainly a scam.
- Example: NutriO2 – one of the biggest scams exposed by Contra Health Scam back in 2016 – had falsely claimed to cure “even the most severe and incurable disease” with oxygen drops given orally.
- In 2024, the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) issued multiple warnings about unregistered herbal products claiming to cure HIV and other chronic diseases. Many were sold in informal markets and on social media.
4. Pressure Tactics and Urgency
Scam websites often use countdown timers, pop-ups, or “only 3 left in stock”-type tricks to make you buy impulsively. Almost all the health scams exposed by Contra Health Scam used these tactics, but what usually ends up happening is that the countdown timers reset themselves, the pop-up offers/warnings remain unchanged, and the “limited” stock or membership slots never run out. But you will never find out until after you have fallen for the scam.
Till date, many social media sellers of health products use FOMO (fear of missing out) tactics like “promo ends today” to rush customers before they research the product. So be very skeptical once you spot these tactics being used to market a product.
5. Hidden or Misleading Pricing & Refund Policies
Transparent pricing and refund policies are a hallmark of legitimate companies. Fake products often hide costs in fine print, do not honor their claimed refund policies, or make refunds nearly impossible.
- Example: KetoWeightLoss.com advertised “free bottles” of their supplement when you buy their more expensive offers. However, on scrutiny by Contra Health Scam, it turned out that they charged full price (meaning that customers ended up paying for the “free” bottles). On top of that, their refund policy made no sense, guaranteeing that whoever buys from them never gets their money back. A similar, but less egregious scenario also played out with Over 40 Ab Solution.
6. Shady or Absent Scientific Evidence
Real health products properly cite published research to confirm their effectiveness, while fake health products rely on buzzwords, pseudoscience, and misinterpretation of legitimate scientific research.
- Example: Over 40 Hormone Reset Diet twisted so many scientific research articles in order to back up its claims about losing “1 pound of fat per day” without giving up your bad eating habits or exercising.
7. Anonymous or Misleading Contact Information
A reputable product has a real address, phone number, and responsive customer service. Fake products hide behind fake addresses, pseudonyms, PO boxes, or privacy-protected domains to avoid being held accountable for their products
- Example: OptiVisum Eye Drops – a scam domiciled somewhere in Asia, listed a Los Angeles post office as its company address. The scammers went to great lengths to hide their contact information, including hiding their website domain information
- Africa Example: In Ghana, counterfeit Coartem antimalarial tablets were traced to mystery importers with no traceable corporate registration.
Other Recent Case Studies: Africa & Beyond
| Product/Incident | Country | Red Flags | Outcome |
| Wonder Calcium | Nigeria | Fake manufacturer, fake NAFDAC number | Public warning issued, product banned |
| Fake Noristerat Injection | Nigeria | Mislabeled, wrong drug contents | NAFDAC recall, risk to women’s health |
| Fake ARVs | Uganda | Counterfeit packaging, no active ingredient | NDA recall, public alert |
| Herbal “HIV cures” | South Africa | False cure claims, unregistered | SAHPRA clampdown |
| Fake Coartem | Ghana | Counterfeit, wrong ingredients | FDA seizure to prevent treatment failure |
| Slimming Teas with Sibutramine | Kenya | Hidden banned ingredient | Market ban, public health alert |
| Benylin Paediatric Cough Syrup | Nigeria (tested) | Toxic contamination (diethylene glycol) | National recall, global WHO alert |
| Fake Ozempic Batches | Global | Fake batch numbers, counterfeit drugs | Regulatory crackdown in EU, US |
How to Protect Yourself
- Verify approvals by regulatory agencies like NAFDAC, FDA, or WHO. Check the official websites of regulatory agencies to verify product registration numbers.
- Research independently. Look for reviews from sites like ContraHealthScam.com. Even better, learn how to spot these scams yourself.
- Check ingredients. Be cautious if labels are vague or claim to be a “secret formula.”
- Consult a licensed doctor or pharmacist before using any supplement, especially for chronic conditions.
- Avoid impulse buys based on social media ads, WhatsApp forwards, or celebrity endorsements.
Conclusion
Fake health products are a global threat, but they share common red flags. By watching for unverifiable manufacturers, fake testimonials, exaggerated claims, urgency tactics, hidden pricing, weak science, and poor transparency, you can protect yourself and your family. Regulatory bodies like NAFDAC, SAHPRA, and FDA are stepping up enforcement — but public awareness is still the first line of defense.
Being skeptical is not negativity — it is health literacy. Always verify before you buy.
