Beware & Protect Yourself 02 (Jan 09 - Aug 10)

[winston]

Police warn of new variation of lucky draw scam

SINGAPORE : Police are alerting the public to a new variation of the lucky draw scam which has surfaced in the past month.

In a typical lucky draw scam, victims would receive calls or emails informing them of lottery wins.

In the new scam, victims receive brochures allegedly issued by the Hong Kong Tourism Board.

The brochures have a scratch—off label containing a lucky draw code of "HK6888" which supposedly entitles them to the top prize of HK$500,000.

Victims are instructed to call a Hong Kong number listed in the brochure to claim their winnings.

Upon calling, they are then told to make payments for the prize to be released.

Only after making several payments without receiving any winnings, do the victims realise it is a scam.

Police say the Hong Kong Tourism Board does not conduct any lottery advertising activity by telephone or mail.

They also advise the public not to respond to such materials and report them if any are received. — CNA/ms

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/cna/20091202/t ... 1650b.html

[kennynah]

i tell you who are the people who will fall for such scams... the desperate ones...

such scams can be seen from a mile away and most times, ordinary people with common sense will be able to detect them... but there will always be the few who are emotionally unstable, due to some major problems, like indebtedness, extreme loneliness, disharmonious relationships, etc...these are the unfortunate souls who get conned...

so, if you know of anyone with huge personal problems, warn them specifically about such scams...

[winston]

Model's death highlights plastic surgery risks By Mark Tutton, CNN

London, England (CNN) -- Following the death of a former Miss Argentina after complications arising from plastic surgery, questions are being raised about the risks of cosmetic surgery.

Solange Magnano, 37, died in hospital, after being transferred from a clinic where she underwent an elective surgery on her buttocks last Wednesday.

Nigel Mercer, president of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, last month described the cosmetic surgery industry an "unregulated mess" in the journal Clinical Risk.

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/12/0 ... index.html

[winston]

Laser Printers Can Be Hazardous to Your Health Posted By Dr. Ben Kim

Last week, researchers from Queensland University of Technology in Australia published a study that indicates that some laser printers create as much fine-particle pollution as cigarette smoke. The researchers warn that laser printer-emitted pollution can affect people's lungs in the same way that cigarettes can, making it a legitimate health threat to people who work around active laser printers in poorly ventilated spaces.

The researchers also warn that beyond posing a threat to lung health, exposure to laser printer pollution can ultimately increase one's risk of developing cardiovascular disease and even cancer.

Here are the key findings reported in this study:

1. New toner cartridges and graphic-heavy printing projects tend to emit the most ultra-fine powder -- believed to be toner -- into the air.

2. Some well known brand printers release enough toner into the air to increase the total amount of fine particles in a typical office environment by 500 percent during work hours.

3. Seventeen of the 62 printers that were tested were categorized as "high particle emitters." Specific models that were identified as high or potentially high emitters are as follows:

* HP Color LaserJet 4650dn
* HP Color LaserJet 5550dtn
* HP Color LaserJet 8550N
* HP LaserJet 1320N
* HP LaserJet 1320n
* HP LaserJet 2420dn
* HP LaserJet 4200dtn
* HP LaserJet 4250n (old)
* HP LaserJet 4250n (new)
* HP LaserJet 5(a)
* HP LaserJet 8000DN
* HP LaserJet 8150N
* Toshiba Studio 450

4. Thirty-seven of the 62 printers that were tested did not release particles that compromised air quality, six released low levels, and two released medium levels.

5. Printers that were tested to be in the non-emission category were made by Toshiba, Mita, Ricoh, and HP LaserJet.

6. Low-level emitters were made by Canon, Ricoh, and HP.

7. The two printers that were categorized as mid-level emitters were made by HP.

The findings in this study were stumbled upon by accident while researchers were testing the efficiency of ventilating systems in different office settings. They quickly found that laser printers were diminishing air quality.

The bottom line: If you work in an office that requires regular use of one or more laser printers, do what you can to keep a steady stream of fresh air coming into your work space. Ideally, you want to keep two windows open to establish unidirectional air flow

[winston]

HSA warns public not to consume illegal drug "Huo Luo Jing Dan"

SINGAPORE: A traditional Chinese medicine has been found to contain illegal ingredients that can cause serious adverse reaction.

The drug, "Huo Luo Jing Dan", was said to promote blood circulation and relieve aches and pains, including rheumatism and arthritis. It is sold in a dark coloured plastic bottle with a gold—coloured label that contains small red capsules.

The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has warned the public not to consume the product because it contains potent, undeclared Western medicines that cause dangerous side effects like increased blood pressure, weak bones, stomach ulcers and kidney failure.

A 50—year—old woman who had been taking the drug for several years developed swelling of the throat, following an infection that did not heal quickly. Her face also swelled to a ’moon face’, caused by prolonged corticosteroid consumption.

Her doctor alerted the authorities after he suspected that she had suffered from an adverse effect from the product and was hospitalised.

The patient has since recovered and was discharged from the hospital after discontinuing the product.

Investigations revealed that the manufacturer printed on the label, China Tian Jin Ren Ji, is fraudulent and does not exist. The friend from whom the patient originally purchased the product also could not be contacted.

The HSA advises members of the public who had bought the product not to consume it and to seek medical attention immediately if they feel unwell after taking this product.

It also reminds consumers to be wary of products that promise a quick cure for serious conditions.

Anyone who is aware of the illegal sale of this product should call the HSA Enforcement Branch’s 24—hour hotline at 6866—3485 or email to [email protected].

Source: CNA

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/cna/20091209/t ... 1650b.html

[LenaHuat]

Be careful with Twitter and Facebook. You could be promoting lingerie for the last 5 days without you knowing it :-
Viruses that leave you RED in the Facebook

[winston]

3 Months to Live by Jenny Thompson

I think there should be public stockades for situations like this.

When a Wisconsin woman named Diane was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, her doctor told her she would live only three months. He gave her the classic line: Go home and put your affairs in order.

Instead she did some research and found treatment at a cancer center that combines conventional and alternative therapies. Five years later she's alive and her cancer is in remission.

Here's my suggestion: A couple of days in a public stockade for Diane's original doctor would be a perfect way to send a message to doctors and patients everywhere. Don't limit your options.

Especially when a life is at risk.

Diane's story was recently told in a New York Times article that offers an important insight about how to take control of your health care when you're in the fight of your life.

Many large hospitals employ patient advocates who can help wrangle insurance details. In Diane's case it wasn't a hospital, it was Block Center for Integrative Cancer Care in Evanston, IL.

What's most surprising is that Diane and her Block Center advocate negotiated with agents at Diane's insurance company and actually persuaded them to cover unconventional treatments.

Obviously this requires patience and persistence -- qualities that are often in short supply when you're being treated for cancer. That's when a diligent patient advocate can be a lifesaver. Literally.


Source: HSI

[Musicwhiz]

Another "scam" case. Gosh, this time it's done by a "tai-tai" on other similar "tai-tai".

Dec 22, 2009
Conned by 'sure-win' scam
By Khushwant Singh

ROSE Tan Seng Cheng would meet her friends at the Carriage Bar in York Hotel.

It was a regular occurrence and they also noticed that she was always decked up with expensive jewellery and flushed with cash.

The 54-year-old would boast that she had put her money in a 'sure-win' investment scheme that paid a 10 per cent return every month.It was all a scam. And 11 people fell for it.

Tan, a former sales promoter, never invested the money, instead she used it to pay for her personal expenses.

A district court heard that only $112,000 of the $421,000 she had embezzled was recovered.

She was jailed for 3 1/2 years for cheating 11 people on Tuesday.

[kennynah]

there's a price to pay for being foolish.... and hopefully, that "tuition" fee will be a sufficient lesson...

[winston]

Another "scam" case. Gosh, this time it's done by a "tai-tai" on other similar "tai-tai".

The 54-year-old would boast that she had put her money in a 'sure-win' investment scheme that paid a 10 per cent return every month.

Some people have no sense of what's reasonable. If fixed deposits are only returning less than 2% a year, does 120% return in a year looks reasonable ?