A woman in the direct selling business in Malaysia falsely claimed on social media that the bracelet she sold could prevent the new crown pneumonia, and was fined RM50,000 (16,219 SGD) by the Trade and Consumer Affairs Bureau.
Datuk Iskandar, Director of the Enforcement Division of the Malaysian Ministry of Trade and Consumer Affairs, issued a statement on Saturday that the authorities recently discovered that some netizens were selling bracelets through Facebook, falsely claiming that the items sold could effectively prevent the new crown pneumonia, and the current price is only RM580 (188 SGD) immediately launched an investigation.
He said that an investigation by the authorities found that the Facebook user was an agent of a direct selling company. The product was promoted through Facebook. However, the investigation found that her publicity methods were misleading and violated Article 10 of the Consumer Protection Act 1999 ( 1) (h), so she was fined RM50,000 (16,219 SGD).
“If the victim fails to pay the fine within the specified time limit, he will be charged in court.”
Iskandar stated that if the victim fails to pay the fine within the specified time limit, he will be sentenced under Article 25 of the same law. Under the above provisions, once the crime is convicted, if the person involved is an institution, the first offender will be fined no more than RM 100,000 (32,439 SGD). Or imprisonment for not more than 3 years, or both. For serious offenders, the fine will not exceed RM250,000 ( 81,099 SGD ). Or imprisonment for not more than 6 years, or both.