Upon investigation, it was found that it was only regular food and trusted the "weight manager" to purchase nearly 50000 weight loss products, which had no effect on weight loss | Women | Products

"These weight loss products can't even be considered health supplements, but the other party's language is very professional, gradually tempting you to buy." Recently, Ms. Chen reported to the Pengpai Quality View Complaint Platform that she added a WeChat account for "Weight and Health Manager" on a certain video platform. Under the guidance of the other party's language, she bought nearly 50000 yuan of weight loss products, but these products were ineffective and not the "traditional Chinese medicine liquid" promoted by the other party, just ordinary food. Ms. Chen believes that she has encountered online fraud.

Currently, Ms. Chen has filed a lawsuit with the court and is considering reporting to the police.

A person related to the security governance of the video platform involved told Pengpai News that the involved account has been indefinitely banned and punished.

The picture shows the detoxification and regulation of traditional Chinese medicine by a weight and health manager for Ms. Chen's physical constitution. Ingredients include: barley, cassia seeds, winter melon, lotus leaves, orange peel, licorice, roses, Poria cocos, hawthorn, gardenia, and yam.

The so-called "weight loss products" are just ordinary foods

In May this year, Ms. Chen came across a weight loss video on a certain video platform. She joined the fan group through her account homepage and then added the WeChat account of "Weight and Health Manager". All members of the fan group are prohibited from speaking, and the administrator will periodically send WeChat messages to consult with teachers in the group, allowing fans to add their own inquiries. The WeChat messages sent each time are different.

After inquiring about Ms. Chen's height, weight, and other information, the "Weight and Health Manager" stated that two weight loss plans have been developed based on her situation. The plan is to lose 54-64 pounds in 120 days, divided into detoxification and fat burning weight loss steps. They promise to follow up on Ms. Chen's weight loss progress throughout the process and guide her in using the product.

The other party claimed that the main method of weight loss is to use traditional Chinese herbal remedies for internal adjustment and supplementation of lipase. After successful weight loss, it can promote the recovery of vascular elasticity, reduce the burden on various internal organs, improve basal metabolism, metabolize body fat, develop a lean body, and improve endocrine function.

Based on the other party's suggestion, Ms. Chen chose a strong solution worth 1056 yuan and paid a deposit of 300 yuan in advance through the WeChat mini program provided by the other party, with the final payment to be made on delivery.

"Before receiving the package, the other party refused to tell me the specific product," Ms. Chen said.

After using the product for a period of time, the "Weight and Health Manager" asked Ms. Chen if she had "dark oily stools" discharged. If there was no oily stools discharged, it could be concluded that it was a blockage in the oil metabolism system. It is necessary to use "unblocking materials" in a timely manner, otherwise the blockage will be more serious and affect the weight loss progress. She also introduced similar cases to Ms. Chen in the past.

Afterwards, Ms. Chen purchased "dredging materials". Unexpectedly, the other party recommended Ms. Chen to purchase materials to supplement her fat breakdown enzymes, citing her lack of fat breakdown enzymes in her body and inability to excrete oil. They also said, "Next, do a good job of repair, and you can watch your weight loss every day.".

After using the product for two months, Ms. Chen found that she had spent nearly 50000 yuan on buying weight loss products before and after, but it had no effect, so she requested a return and refund from the other party. The other party claimed that the product was formulated according to Ms. Chen's physical condition and cannot be returned.

Ms. Chen purchased 7 types of products including small molecule collagen peptide solid beverage, mushroom polypeptide powder solid beverage, protein core microalgae oligopeptide solid beverage, blueberry composite prebiotic solid beverage, plant substitute tea, Baiyi comprehensive fruit and vegetable solid beverage, and plant sterol ester solid beverage. The most expensive solid beverage with mushroom peptide powder costs 13990 yuan for 3 boxes.

The product packaging box pictures provided by Ms. Chen show that these 7 product packaging boxes only have a food production license number, not a drug, and "cannot even be considered health products.".

The chat screenshot provided by Ms. Chen shows that in the fan group, it is promoted that "traditional Chinese medicine liquid is the greenest and safest way to lose weight, improving physical fitness and losing more than 10 pounds per month.".

Pengpai News found through the information query platform of food production license enterprises of the State Administration for Market Regulation that the food production license numbers on these 7 products can indeed be found.

We may encounter online fraud and have initiated legal action to protect our rights

Ms. Chen searched online at a friend's prompt and found that similar cases had already been reported by the media before. She believes that she may have encountered online fraud.

According to media reports, in May this year, the police in Hengyang, Hunan successfully destroyed an online fraud gang that used false advertising and rhetoric to market high priced "weight loss products". The criminal gang packaged general food and solid drinks into "weight loss products" with weight loss effects, and used online platforms to falsely promote and attract customers to take bait. Team members impersonated weight loss and health experts, senior nutritionists, and senior health managers, and questioned customers according to pre designed "language". By sending false weight loss success videos and pictures, they gained trust and gradually enticed customers to purchase "weight loss products". When customers give feedback that the product is not effective after use, sales personnel will explain that there was an error in the previous communication. If they do not continue to purchase the next round of products, their previous efforts will be wasted, and it will cause harm to their bodies, forcing the victim to continue purchasing and falling into a trap.

Ms. Chen complained about the manufacturers and distributors of seven "weight loss products" through the 12315 platform. The 12315 platform replied that some of the companies that Ms. Chen complained about were wholesalers and did not directly retail to consumers. One company, after on-site inspection, could not find the accused merchant. Pengpai News called the merchant but was unable to contact them.

Pengpai News added "Weight and Health Manager" based on the WeChat account provided by Ms. Chen, and consulted as a consumer. The other party claimed that weight loss is based on individual physical condition combined with traditional Chinese medicine to regulate the body. Using over 120 pure plant extracts such as Poria cocos, hawthorn, collagen, cassia seeds, orange peel, licorice, and Job's tears. After repeated inquiries from Pengpai News, the so-called "herbal formula" by the other party is the "plant substitute tea" that Ms. Chen received.

Pengpai News asked about its business license, and the other party said, "Our qualifications are complete, and the institution does not allow the promotion of business licenses on the internet, and cannot privately issue these business licenses.". Regarding the professionalism of the organization, the other party said, "We are a professional organization and now we almost provide online guidance, so the security can be completely assured.".

Afterwards, Pengpai News reported the situation to the involved video platform. Platform security governance personnel stated that the involved account, through fan groups and other channels, illegally induced users to leave the platform and go to third-party platforms to sell goods, which could easily cause user risks. To maintain the security of user property, the platform has imposed an indefinite ban on the account.

At present, Ms. Chen has submitted materials to the court to protect her rights through litigation, and is also considering reporting to the police.