A hoax is being played on hundreds of people who are signing up on-line for a card that offers free breast implants and points towards lip injections for every friend you
If it sounds far-fetched, you're right, but boyfriends, educated women, fathers and husbands are all falling victim to the deception. Shari Graydon, Ottawa-based journalist and media critic, has created a hoax web site called "Plastic Assets," in which people can sign up for the plastic surgery card that's motto is "Invest in Your Breasts."
But when hopefuls try to submit by clicking on the Apply Now button, a hot pink banner pops up that screams "DECEPTION!... comes in many forms. Click here for what they don't tell you about breast implants." The purpose behind the project is to draw attention to health consequences of implants by providing facts and links to health organizations.
The biggest surprise Shari has found is the staggering amount of people who don't realize it's a joke. They sign up with high hopes and optimism that they've found the Holy Grail. Once they've filled out the application form and realize it won't actually submit, they email the site desperately trying to find out why. Shari says most of the responses are from college-educated, professional women doing grad work.
Even journalists have been slow to realize the deception. Many have contacted the site to do a story, but once they're told what its purpose is, they are uninterested in pursuing more info.
You can visit the site and see it all for yourself at: www.plasticassets.com
