KUALA LUMPUR: The public must be on the alert against scammers using images of the Health director-general to peddle their products, the MCA Public Services and Complaints Department has urged.

       Its head Datuk Seri Michael Chong said images of Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah were being used in a scam and the public must be cautious.

       “This is a tactic being used to boost online sales of health products that are claimed to reduce blood sugar levels.

       “We believe the scammers are based in Hong Kong and are working with certain parties in Malaysia,” he told reporters yesterday.

       Chong said he had contacted Dr Noor Hisham on the use of his image to pitch these products.

       Misleading promotions: Chong and Dr Balachandran with examples of product advertisements using Dr Noor Hisham’s image.

       “He has denied making such endorsements.

       “This is not the first time we have received complaints on unpermitted usage of images in promoting product sales,” he added.

       Others who were also at the press conference included traditional Chinese medicine practitioner Cheah Kok Kay, Malaysia Medical Association vice-chairman Dr Balachandran Krishnan and MCA legal adviser Datuk Theng Book.

       Chong said that besides the scam using images of Dr Noor Hisham, Cheah had also fallen victim to a fraud involving eye medicine.

       “I urge Malaysians to not be easily duped by such scams,” he said, adding that Cheah had lodged a police report on the scam on July 30.