OAPs lose thousands in health product con

TRADING standards officers have issued a warning to Scottish pensioners after three elderly members of the public – one suffering from Alzheimer’s – were conned out of thousands of pounds after being persuaded to buy medicinal products over the phone.

The three pensioners, two of whom live in Moray, received unsolicited phone calls from a company asking about health issues associated with ageing, including arthritis and joint pain.

According to Moray Council, the pensioners were then persuaded to buy £800 boxes of “Rose Hip Extract” to relieve their symptoms and were subsequently called repeatedly and persuaded to buy other vitamins, supplements and creams at a cost of up to £900 a month.

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A council spokesman said: “The customers were each over £3,000 out of pocket. The type and quantity of products supplied were completely inappropriate.

“One older woman received a treatment for prostate problems, while another received 660 aphrodisiac potions.

“In one case, the problem only came to light when the victim’s bank account was emptied. In another case, the problem was discovered when the victim’s daughter found huge quantities of pills and potions in her ­father’s house.”

The spokesman continued: “The sellers target older, vulnerable people, cynically relying on customers’ better nature to build up a false relationship – even sending them flowers.”

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