Scam Products Are Killing People - Literally. Here's the Truth No One Tells You

Not Everything That Glows Is Gold: The Dark Truth About Scam Products in Malaysia

We live in a world where a product’s packaging can be prettier than its purpose, and that, my friend, is terrifying.

Every scroll on social media shows someone selling a miracle cure, a slimming tea, a whitening cream, or some random “glow booster” that promises to make you 10x better in 5 days. Sounds magical, until your skin breaks out, your liver suffers, or worse, you land in the hospital.

Let’s call it what it is: scam.

💀 Scam Products Are Everywhere. And They're Dangerous.

In Malaysia, the Ministry of Health (KKM) reports hundreds of illegal or unregistered health and beauty products being sold every single year. In 2023 alone, over 170 products were flagged and banned by the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) - many containing scheduled poisons like hydroquinone, mercury, tretinoin, and steroids.

I had many family members, friends, and followers who’ve come to me - and you’ve probably seen it too - people on social media expressing how their health suddenly deteriorated, developed chronic illnesses, or even passed away. All because of products that were marketed to heal, whiten, slim down, or glow you up overnight.

But here’s the harsh truth:

There’s no product that can whiten your skin and make you glow instantly.
There’s no product that can make you slim magically.
There’s no product that can “fix” your health completely - unless it’s backed by real science and proper care.

Most of these products rely on scam strategies:

Fake testimonials
Harmful, unlisted ingredients
Sold without proper labeling
No proper lab tests
No KKM (MOH Malaysia) registration
Dubious "before-after" photos
Recycled claims copied from other scam brands
Selling through influencers without accountability, not professionals
Ambiguous “Doctor-formulated” titles without credentials
And yes - even fake KKM certificates
Dangerous to your health - both short-term and long-term
Worse, they target our insecurities.

People have shared their experiences with me - some were lucky and managed to stop before long-term effects set in. But others weren’t so fortunate.

They consumed or applied these health and beauty products, and suffered from irreversible conditions:

Kidney failure
Liver failure
Hormonal imbalances
Thyroid disorders
Organ failure
And some… didn’t survive.

They prey on the mom trying to lose her baby weight.

The teen battling acne.

The girl who wants to be fairer, leaner, or more perfect.

The man trying to gain muscle fast.

And they do it all with fake reviews, Photoshopped before-after shots, and stolen testimonials.

☠️ Let’s Talk About the Real Dangers: These Are Some of the Most Rampant and Risky Products Out There

🧃 “Healthy” instant coffees sold online - Many of these are marketed to regulate sugar levels, improve heart health, or aid weight loss. Some were found to contain hidden ingredients like sibutramine (banned weight loss drug) and phenolphthalein, which can increase the risk of cancer.

In 2022, KKM recalled several such products after hospitalisations linked to heart palpitations and severe dizziness.

🌿 Moringa pills and powders - While moringa in its natural form can have benefits, many commercial moringa supplements are contaminated with unsafe levels of heavy metals, pesticides, and synthetic fillers.

According to a 2023 NPRA alert, unregistered “natural supplements” are often mislabeled and may contain steroids.

✨ Whitening products, creams, and scrubs - A large number of whitening skincare in Malaysia have tested positive for mercury, hydroquinone, and tretinoin. These can lead to kidney damage, skin thinning, and neurological issues with prolonged use.

NPRA bans over 150 illegal cosmetic products yearly in Malaysia. Most are “whitening” items.

🍵 Slimming teas and detox drinks - Often laced with laxatives, diuretics, or synthetic weight loss drugs. They cause dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, digestive issues, and even heart arrhythmia. Long-term use can damage your colon.

A study by Universiti Malaya found that 4 in 10 popular “slimming teas” sold online contained unsafe additives.

🩸 “Whitening” drips or IV glutathione injections - Extremely risky without medical supervision. Many of these services are done illegally by untrained people, and can lead to septicemia, liver dysfunction, and severe allergic reactions.

Glutathione injections for whitening are not approved by MOH Malaysia for aesthetic use.

🥄 Jamu and traditional herbal pills/drinks - Too many are adulterated with steroids, hormones, or unlisted pharmaceutical ingredients. Especially jamu that claim to enhance female “tightness”, libido, fertility, or cure chronic illnesses - these often contain high-risk compounds.

A MOH analysis in 2023 found 42% of jamu samples sold online contained scheduled poisons.

💊 Pills and drinks to improve sexual organs/function - These are among the most dangerous. Some contain sildenafil-like substances (similar to Viagra), leading to dangerous blood pressure drops, especially for those with heart issues.

Several deaths have been reported in Malaysia and Indonesia due to consumption of “natural” libido enhancers.

🍼 Milk and drinks claiming to boost fertility or help you get pregnant - Highly misleading. Fertility is complex and personal. These products often use hormone-disrupting ingredients or unknown herbs that interfere with ovulation or menstruation.

There is zero clinical evidence that such over-the-counter “fertility drinks” work.

🧬 Pills and jamu claiming to cure chronic diseases (like diabetes, high BP, cancer, stroke) - These are not just scams; they are deadly. People delay proper treatment believing in false hope. Some of these contain prednisolone (steroids) to make users “feel better” temporarily - but this masks symptoms and destroys organs.

NPRA warns that “miracle cure” products are among the top causes of delayed proper diagnosis and long-term health damage.

And many more:

Detox foot pads
Fat-burning creams
Hair-growth sprays laced with hormones
Fake collagen drinks
Placenta-based supplements
And more sold on TikTok, Shopee, IG, Whatsapp, and Telegram

🧨 The Danger is Real - And the Impact is Long-Term

Don’t fall for “quick fixes”. The effects may not be instant, but over time, they can destroy your liver, kidneys, hormones, reproductive system, immune function - even your mental health.

You may feel better temporarily, but the cost is silent damage building inside your body.

If it's not prescribed for you by a professional, if it isn't backed by KKM or medical guidelines - it’s probably harmful.

Even KKM has issued repeated consumer alerts (available on npra.gov.my) showing products with faked registration numbers, misleading marketing, and dangerous substances.

Some sellers even manipulate testimonials using AI or paid actors - creating false success stories to gain your trust.

😡 They Even Fake Lab Tests and Medical Endorsements

Did you know some founders claim their products are “lab tested” when all they did was test it on themselves or friends for 2–3 months? That’s not science - that’s reckless.

Even worse, many of these products are “timbang kilo” - bought in bulk from China, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, or Bangladesh, and simply repackaged with their brand slapped on. No accountability. No transparency. Just greed.

Think about this:

If a product being sold for RM40 or RM80 can make you beautiful, slim, healthy, and give you the life you dream of - wouldn't that product have already won a Nobel Prize? Wouldn't it be a world-renowned medical breakthrough?

Exactly.

⚠️ If It Sounds Too Good to Be True - It Probably Is.

Let’s be real: No cream will whiten your skin overnight. No pill will melt fat in a week. No drink will cure all your health problems in 3 sips.

These are lies dressed up as solutions.

And I say this with urgency, not judgment - because I, too, have fallen for the hype once. I’ve trusted online shops because everyone else seemed to be doing it.

But I’ve learned. And I want you to learn too.

💸 Dirty Money Built on Broken Bodies

These irresponsible founders just want to make fast money. They don’t actually care about your health. They sell dreams and fake hope while living lavishly off your pain.

They look like they care - but it's a tactic to earn your trust, then your money.

That’s why they can afford expensive cars, luxury bags, and lavish holidays. But it’s dirty money, built on broken health, broken homes, and broken trust.

🛑 Stop Falling for It

You have the right to feel beautiful. To want better health. To improve your body.

But never at the cost of your life.

Before you buy anything you consume or put on your skin, ask yourself:

Is this product officially sold and endorsed by a legitimate healthcare body?

Is there a registered pharmacist or medical practitioner who validates it for my health condition?

Has it gone through proper testing - not just by the seller, but by regulated labs?

Only buy from:

✅ Verified official stores (online and offline)

✅ Registered pharmacists

✅ Doctors who genuinely diagnose you - not social media “doctors”

✅ Products with real KKM registration (you can verify on npra.gov.my)

⚠ Even some “doctors” sell their name to endorse scam products. That’s ethically and legally wrong. According to the Malaysian Medical Council's Code of Professional Conduct, registered doctors are not allowed to participate in misleading product endorsements that compromise public health.

Thankfully, there are real doctors who use their platforms to educate and warn the public. Support and follow them. Spread their messages, not the fads.

🔍 The Government Must Step In

This is not just about irresponsible founders. It’s about systems failing to protect consumers.

We need:

Stricter laws on online product sales

Real-time product verification databases

Serious enforcement against those selling illegal, harmful goods

Nationwide campaigns to educate and warn the public

Bans on fake testimonials and influencer-based health scams

Until then, we — the people — must make better, smarter choices.

👀 What To Watch Out For:

Here are a few red flags:

✅ No KKM registration number (MALXXXXXXT)

✅ No full ingredients list

✅ Promises that are unrealistic or extreme

✅ Influencer marketing without science

✅ “Doctor-formulated” with no real doctor involved

✅ No clear manufacturer or contact info

✅ Products sold only through social media or WhatsApp

💡 Pro tip: You can check a product’s status at www.npra.gov.my under “Product Search” - it’s free and takes 30 seconds.

💪 Be Smarter, Be Safer

Your health is not a trend. Your body is not a lab experiment.

Let’s stop normalizing:

Risking our health for fast results
Trusting influencers over doctors
Believing viral reviews over verified facts

Let’s start:

Checking labels, not just aesthetics
Reporting shady sellers
Educating our loved ones, especially the young and the vulnerable

Because every time you say NO to a scam product, you're saying YES to:

Your health
Your self-worth
Your long-term beauty, strength, and wellbeing

🔥 You Deserve More Than Quick Fixes

Real transformation takes time. Healing takes consistency. Confidence takes self-love.

🧘🏻‍♀️ Healing and Growth Take Time

Let’s stop chasing shortcuts.

Let’s lead healthier lives the natural way:

Balanced nutrition
Proper exercise
Enough sleep
Managing stress
Listening to real, qualified health professionals

That’s the real secret. That’s how real results happen.

And while we’re at it - embrace your skin.

Many Malaysians are obsessed with becoming fairer. But in other parts of the world, fair-skinned people are literally paying to get tanned. They lie under tanning beds, expose themselves to UV rays - just to have your skin tone.

You are beautiful in the way God made you - whether you're fair, yellow, brown, dark, or anywhere in between.

If someone can’t love you as you are - you’re with the wrong person.

If you want to change, let it be your attitude, lifestyle, habits, and mindset - not your skin colour.

Be grateful. Be smart. Be kind to your body.

Because good things take time, and your journey toward health and happiness should never begin with a lie.

If you’ve ever fallen for these products before - forgive yourself. But don’t fall again.

Let’s rewrite the narrative:

Not everything that glows is gold.

But everything that’s real, safe, and earned - now that’s beautiful.