Internet scams are widespread and can infiltrate every aspect of our digital presence. The prevalence of online dating scams, for instance, was recently highlighted in the trending Netflix documentary “The Tinder Swindler.”
Scams have become particularly rampant in rare disease communities, and are spreading rapidly via social media platforms, web pages, and unsolicited text messages. You may have seen messages or comments such as:
“Dr. So-and-So cured me with his special blend of herbs. You can be cured also. Call Dr. So-and-So at his WhatsApp number …”
“Travel to Dr. J. K. Lol’s clinic in Mexico for a stem cell treatment. 100% satisfaction guaranteed. If you are not cured, there is a money-back guarantee.”
If so, I hope you recognized them as false promises.
Preying on hope
Some will call it spam, but that is an insult to the processed meat product. You will find these promises in Facebook groups, Google search results, Instagram posts — anywhere a person can post publicly without providing proof of who they are or where they’re located.
Many rare diseases communities have formed Facebook groups to make connections and share information and tips. These false claims often appear as comments posted by a seemingly legitimate group member, offering hope for a cure and a contact method.
Too good to be true
If it sounds too good to be true, it’s probably a scam. Before you click the link or…
