ACCORDING to the Cambridge Dictionary, a snake oil salesman is a fraud or con artist who tricks people into buying fake, useless or harmful products such as a fake medicine that claims to cure all diseases.
This was the scam alert highlighted by a number of concerned netizens regarding the rise in popularity of expensive hydrogen inhaler systems being peddled by salespersons targeting senior citizens.
Editor’s Note: A hydrogen inhaler system works by using electrolysis to split water into hydrogen and oxygen gases.
The device purifies the hydrogen gas and delivers it at low, non-flammable concentrations (typically 1% to 4%) through a nasal cannula, thus allowing the user to breathe the gas directly into the lungs for claimed improved systemic absorption.
Among those to raise concern at this trend was the (unofficial) phmalaysia (@publichealthmalaysia) health discussion forum on Threads.
The scam alert has generated 11K likes, 365 comments, 4.7K re-posts and 2.6K shares, denoting that many are recognising that this hydrogen machines are being marketed aggressively at older folks.
The post warned potential victims not to fall prey to well-worn hooks such as “no harm in trying” and “many have felt a difference” in addition to not to waste thousands of ringgit on a contraption that has no empirical evidence of being effective as claimed.
“Better to save the money to visit the holy land,” was the succinct advice.
To hammer home the point, the popular health advisory forum painted a crystal-clear picture for potential victims.
“End of the year, the promoters of these hydrogen machines would get on stage in fancy dress, collect their awards, bonuses and commissions.
“The buyer has to budget monthly to pay for a machine that is gathering dust from lack of use.”
This health warning was also repeated by Sunway Medical Centre, Ipoh ophthalmologist Dr Abirami Shavani (@eyebirami) who was shocked at exaggerated health claims by some of these miracle machines that cost RM7,000 a pop.
Noting that these machines include eye goggles, inhaler tube and H+ infused water to be consumed, the eye specialist vehemently argued that there was absolutely no scientific evidence showing that this form of therapy has any benefits whatsoever.
The only difference was perhaps the user “losing the outer layer of the eye”, she warned only half in jest.
“Drink plenty of plain boiled water daily. Lessen oily foods and sugary drinks. Focus on wholefoods rather than processed foods. Workout. Activate yourself,” was the pertinent advice here.
To emphasise the sort of salespersons and multi-level marketing agents pushing these hydrogen machines, one Threader highlighted a heated exchange between popular health influencer Dr Malar Shanti and a vendor of these miracle machines.
Straight up calling them a scam, she challenged any dissenters to sue her. One obviously dissatisfied pusher of hydrogen machines resorted to invoking religion to uphold justice from such “fitnah”.
Sharing the exchange on Threads, ae.am.man (@ae.am.man) noted with some distaste the sort of person who uses religion to justify their sales shtick. “Perfect combo for a scammer in the health field,” was the wry observation here.
This use of religion as a shield and sales tactic was highlighted as an effective tool by some observers who hoped they are wiser in their dotage.
The alarm has been raised. For some gullible consumers, it may already be too late, having parted with their hard-earned cash for a machine medical experts are calling useless.
Whether you wish to follow the advice of medically-certified professionals or the sweet-nothings of salespersons who may even resort to leaning on religion to seal the deal is entirely up to you.
Suffice to say, consumers have been warned. – Aug 23, 2026
Main image credit: Mstar
