Fraudulent Websites Use Bulgarian Health Ministry Branding to Promote Fake Cures

Jerusalem, 29 May, 2025 (TPS-IL) -- Sofia (BTA) – Bulgaria’s Ministry of Health (MoH) warns of false advertisements abusing the authority of the institution. Fraudulent websites are being created on the Internet that resemble official sources and illegally use the coat of arms and name of the ministry, the image and voice of the Chief State Health Inspector Assoc. Prof. Angel Kunchev, as well as other medical experts, TV presenters and public figures – without their knowledge and consent, the ministry’s position, entitled: “Health is not a game”, states.

The Ministry and its team do not recommend, advertise or participate in any way in activities related to the offering or sale of products, supplements, medications, or so-called miracle cures, the Ministry of Health notes. Such publications have the sole purpose of misleading consumers and obtaining financial gain through unfair and illegal practices, the Ministry of Health adds.

All identified cases are reported by the Ministry of Health to the General Directorate for Combating Organized Crime (GDBOP) in order to take action within their competence, the Ministry of Health informs. They call on citizens not to trust dubious advertisements on the Internet, not to share personal data, and not to order products that are presented as recommended by health institutions and their employees, as well as to obtain information from verified and official sources.

At the end of October 2024, the Consumer Protection Commission announced that fake websites selling “miracle” drugs and “super products” were making millions. The biggest danger when shopping on social networks is that posts on them are easily made and disappear quickly, which is precisely how merchants advertise their goods, the commission explained at the time.