Local celebrities targets of weight loss scam
Businesswomen Basetsana Kumalo and Nkhensani Nkosi are the latest local celebrities to be involved in a scam that promotes weight loss supplement, Garcinia Cambogia Direct.
FILE PICTURE: Priya Naidoo of Tsdogo Sun and Basetsana Khumalo , owner of Top Billing. (Photo by Gallo Images / City Press / Lucky Nxumalo)
In a fabricated web story, Nkosi is said to have exposed the secret behind Kumalo’s “drastic weight loss” (nine kilograms in a month).
“Let’s face it, Basetsana Kumalo is still smoking hot,” reads the post. “She struts around the beach in bikinis built for a 20 year old and rocks the red carpet in a tight gown. For years we were told it was simply hard work and dedication to Zumba. She was outed after dropping a bottle of Garcinia Cambogia at the airport.”
The sponsored post which made rounds on social networks last weekend, sparked a lot of interest among Kumalo’s fans with many asking where the product can be purchased in South Africa.
I have not endorsed and, am in no way promoting any weight-loss product. Here is a link to my official statement: http://t.co/jTofhfeMun
— Basetsana Kumalo (@basetsanakumalo) January 19, 2015
Kumalo took to her Instagram to respond:
“I have never heard of this product, nor have I ever used it. I am not part of this endorsement promotion. This is a hoax and a scam to lure the public into buying this product. I has further been brought to my attention that because of Nkhensani supposedly revealing my secrets we now have an Instagram war going on and I am “lashing” at her. “This is a fabricated lie devoid of truth, Khensani and I have known each other for many years and hold each other in high esteem as friends, businesswomen and mothers.”
Last year, model Minki van der Westhuizen and Top Billing presenter Jeannie D was also involved in the scam.
“Please be aware that this Garcinia campaign is a scam,” Jeannie D wrote on her Twitter page. “I do not endorse this product and it doesn’t work.”
Nkosi could not be reached for comment.
