Scam artists in USA cash in on Swine flu, says Consumer Reports

Many people are understandably nervous about the H1N1 flu, and scam artists are flooding the Internet to prey on those fears. Since May, the US Food and Drug Administration has warned more than 75 web sites selling more than 135 products to stop making fraudulent H1N1 flu claims, notes the USA's Consumers Report.

Among the scams claiming to prevent or treat H1N1 flu: air "sterilizers," photon machines, immune boosting supplements, and even a non-prescription version of the antiviral drug Tamiflu (oseltamivir) that turned out to be powdered talc and a generic chemical, or even worse, unapproved doses of the drug that could be impure, sub-potent, super-potent, or contaminated.

At least one ad selling colloidal silver claims that the metal is "the answer to prevent or treat swine flu, MRSA, and other bacterial or viral infections, and super-pathogens." Colloidal silver may have mild antiseptic powers, but it has no proven use against any illness, Consumer Reports warns. And, even low doses can build up to toxic levels in the body. Silver ingestion can cause unhealthy affects, including a permanent bluish discoloration of the skin, nails and whites of the eyes; birth defects; and in severe cases organ damage and neurological disorders.

The only FDA approved treatments for swine flu are the prescription antiviral drugs Tamiflu from Roche's and GlaxoSmithKline's Relenza (zanamivir), and those medications should be taken only when needed and with a doctor's prescription, the consumer group warns.

Russian gangs sell fake Tamiflu

Meantime, it is being reported that Russian crime gangs are making millions by flogging counterfeit Tamiflu to paranoid Britons online, it has been claimed. Anxious residents who fear they may not be able to obtain the drug through the NHS may be lining the pockets of overseas conmen, reports the UK Press Association.

Many people may be putting themselves at risk of identity fraud as well as handing over cash for potentially useless drugs.

Graham Cluley, of computer security firm Sophos said: "As more and more cases of swine flu in the UK come to light, it is essential that we all resist the panic-induced temptation to purchase Tamiflu on-line.'

Research by the firm found organized criminal networks are driving on-line shoppers to dodgy virtual pharmacies in return for a share of the profits. Investigators believe thousands of fraudsters, mostly based in Russia, work around the clock to promote the illegal goods.

They found the top five countries purchasing Tamiflu and other drugs are the USA, Germany, the UK, Canada and France. Sophos said crime gangs can earn between £10,000 ($16,675) and £60,000 every day and continuing concerns about swine flu could drive their profits even higher.