Hundreds Scammed by Chinese Candy in Weight Loss Drugs Scandal

Victims are increasingly falling prey to fake weight loss drugs advertised on social media platforms.

What was supposed to be a prescription tailored to an individual’s constitution turned out to be candy from China.

According to a report by YTN on the 1st, hundreds of people have reportedly fallen victim to a scam, paying hefty sums for weight loss drugs in hopes of losing weight.

According to the report, victim A purchased weight loss drugs from a vendor after seeing an advertisement on social media in September.

The vendor claimed a team of professors in Japan developed the pills and promised to tailor the drugs to each individual’s constitution through a one-on-one consultation. After discussing her weight and eating habits with a consultant via messenger, A ordered the pills. A two-month supply costs 550,000 won (approximately $460).

However, A was dumbfounded when she received her order. Instead of the custom weight loss drugs, she received a mass-produced product labeled as “hard candy.” Moreover, the manufacturer was a Chinese food company, and the production date was in July, earlier than the order date.

A searched online for the pills she received and discovered that others too had been scammed. When she demanded a refund from the vendor, they refused, claiming they made the product to fit the orderer’s body type.

Similar scams have occurred in various parts of the country, including Seoul, Gyeonggi, Daejeon, and Chungbuk. Estimates suggest that over 300 victims have lost over 200 million won (approximately $167,000) to these scams.

The police are investigating the case as victims have filed complaints. However, it is difficult to identify the suspects as the server of the company selling the pills is located overseas.

The police are intensifying their pursuit by executing search and seizure warrants against the company.