“URGENT: Watch before CNN removes this knee surgery video” — spam email from support@uploadboy.com

I received a suspicious health-related spam email with the subject:

URGENT: Watch before CNN removes this knee surgery video

The visible sender was:

Knee Joint News <support@uploadboy.com>

The message claims that a Harvard researcher discovered a simple morning honey recipe that can help people avoid knee surgery.

It also repeatedly refers to CNN and creates urgency by suggesting that the video may soon be removed.

What the email claims


The email uses the headline:

Harvard Researcher Reveals the Simple Recipe That's Saving Americans From Knee Surgery!

It claims that joint pain is caused by a “joint toxin” and that a daily honey routine can supposedly flush it out.

The message also includes dramatic personal stories, including claims that people who needed canes or walkers were able to move normally again after following the routine.

Why this email is suspicious

The email did not come from CNN, Harvard University, or a medical provider. It was sent from support@uploadboy.com.

The links in the message also did not lead to cnn.com or a Harvard University website. They led to a page hosted on Google storage infrastructure.

A domain or page name that contains words such as “CNN” does not mean that CNN owns or endorses the page.

The email also combines several warning signs commonly seen in deceptive health promotions:

  • an extraordinary medical claim
  • an alleged Harvard researcher
  • a “natural” remedy
  • personal success stories
  • a claim that surgery can be avoided
  • urgency suggesting that the information may soon disappear

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns that miracle-cure claims, personal testimonials, quick fixes and “all natural” treatments are common warning signs of health fraud.

FDA guidance:

https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/6-tip-offs-rip-offs-dont-fall-health-fraud-scams

Details of the email I received

  • Subject: URGENT: Watch before CNN removes this knee surgery video
  • Displayed sender: Knee Joint News
  • Email address: support@uploadboy.com
  • Main claim: A Harvard researcher supposedly discovered a honey recipe that could help people avoid knee surgery

I have intentionally not reproduced the destination URL from the email.

What to do if you receive this email

Do not rely on the medical claims in the message or follow its links to make decisions about knee pain or surgery.

If you have knee or joint problems, discuss treatment options with a qualified healthcare professional rather than relying on an unsolicited promotional email.

Do not provide payment information, personal information or medical information through a page reached from this email.

Bottom line

This email uses the names of CNN and Harvard, dramatic health claims, personal testimonials and urgency to make the message appear credible.

The sender was support@uploadboy.com, and the links did not lead to official CNN or Harvard websites.

I would not trust the medical claims or use the links contained in this email.

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