UAE | General
Officials in a lather over fake shampoo e-mail
A fake e-mail carrying the logo of Dubai Government and Dubai Police warning residents against certain brands of shampoo for containing a cancer-causing agent has the authorities in a lather.
- By Nina Muslim, Staff Reporter
- Published: 23:14 July 5, 2008
Dubai: A fake e-mail carrying the logo of Dubai Government and Dubai Police warning residents against certain brands of shampoo for containing a cancer-causing agent has the authorities in a lather.
Headlined "Shampoos banned by Dubai government - stop if you're using this," the e-mail mentions a number of well-known shampoo brands for containing sodium laureate sulfate.
The substance is commonly used in cosmetics and shampoos for its foaming properties.
Dr Ali Mohammad Singel, director of medical service at Dubai Police, told Gulf News there was no truth in the e-mail, calling the act "criminal".
"Dubai Police would not get involved with product recalls. We deal with security. If [there is a concern], we forward it to Dubai Municipality and they will investigate and make the announcement," he said.
He added police would investigate the fake e-mail, to try and trace the source.
It is criminal misusing the government's logo to create mass panic, he said.
The e-mail is in Arabic, but written left to right. It also tells recipients it is their duty as "responsible citizens" to forward the warning.
An official at Dubai Municipality Clinic told Gulf News residents should always take such e-mails with a pinch of salt.
Salam Mesmar, head of public health at the municipality, said forwarded e-mails were not how official product recalls and health warnings would be treated.
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