A crypto entrepreneur is at the centre of a major operation to sell unlicensed weight loss drugs. The illicit operation, which was shut down by law enforcement in October, was said to be the world's largest of its kind. Thousands of Alluvi-branded pens were seized along with raw chemicals, manufacturing equipment and £20,000 in cash.
Alluvi's website remains active, attracting thousands of daily orders, while the industrial estate where the operation was based has been shut down. However, production is believed to have shifted elsewhere.
Fasial Tariq, a Northampton-based entrepreneur, has been linked to the operation through documents and testimony from sources familiar with the illicit weight loss trade. He is listed as director of Wholesale Supplements Limited, the company that registered the unit where the operation was based.
Photographs reviewed by The Guardian show customer orders for Alluvi products were sold through a website trading as Ecommerce Nutri Collectiv. This site later lost its payment provider after Stripe terminated its services. Companies House records show Ecommerce Nutri Collectiv Limited has previously shared a registered address with Vantage Commercials Group Limited, a company once run by Tariq.
Paradox Labs, the brand behind Alluvi, was previously known as Paradox Studio, a cryptocurrency venture founded by Tariq. The site claims it offers products that can help people lose weight but attracts accusations of being a scam from online critics.
The illicit operation highlights a widening gap between enforcement and legislation in the growing weight loss industry. Regulators struggle to keep pace with new substances, social media-driven sales, and fragmented online supply chains.
Academics warn that complaints-led regulation moves too slowly, often resulting in a slap on the wrist for those behind such operations. Medical experts have warned of the risks associated with unregulated injectable drugs, including severe infections, pancreatitis, cardiovascular complications, and dangerous blood-sugar fluctuations.
The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has confirmed that no arrests have been made in relation to Northampton, but an investigation is ongoing.
Alluvi's website remains active, attracting thousands of daily orders, while the industrial estate where the operation was based has been shut down. However, production is believed to have shifted elsewhere.
Fasial Tariq, a Northampton-based entrepreneur, has been linked to the operation through documents and testimony from sources familiar with the illicit weight loss trade. He is listed as director of Wholesale Supplements Limited, the company that registered the unit where the operation was based.
Photographs reviewed by The Guardian show customer orders for Alluvi products were sold through a website trading as Ecommerce Nutri Collectiv. This site later lost its payment provider after Stripe terminated its services. Companies House records show Ecommerce Nutri Collectiv Limited has previously shared a registered address with Vantage Commercials Group Limited, a company once run by Tariq.
Paradox Labs, the brand behind Alluvi, was previously known as Paradox Studio, a cryptocurrency venture founded by Tariq. The site claims it offers products that can help people lose weight but attracts accusations of being a scam from online critics.
The illicit operation highlights a widening gap between enforcement and legislation in the growing weight loss industry. Regulators struggle to keep pace with new substances, social media-driven sales, and fragmented online supply chains.
Academics warn that complaints-led regulation moves too slowly, often resulting in a slap on the wrist for those behind such operations. Medical experts have warned of the risks associated with unregulated injectable drugs, including severe infections, pancreatitis, cardiovascular complications, and dangerous blood-sugar fluctuations.
The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has confirmed that no arrests have been made in relation to Northampton, but an investigation is ongoing.
. I mean, think about it - a crypto entrepreneur gets into weight loss meds and suddenly thousands are getting hooked? That's some serious money being made here 
. And what really catches my eye is how easily their website was able to stay online despite all this going down 
. It's like they knew exactly what they were doing. And have you noticed that Paradox Labs is just a rebranded crypto venture? Sounds fishy to me 
. The whole thing stinks of a massive cover-up, if you ask me...
. Like, thousands of people getting scammed on some dodgy weight loss meds... what's the harm, right? 
I mean, who doesn't love a good scam, am I right? 
.
The crypto space is literally breeding grounds for illicit activities. I mean, who needs legit business when you can just set up a fake operation and fly under the radar? Fasial Tariq's thing with Alluvi-branded pens is like something out of a bad spy novel – thousands of daily orders on an active website while he's dodging law enforcement? It's wild to think that there are people making millions off these sketchy products, all while the authorities are trying to keep up.
the fact that people are making money off these fake weight loss products is just disgusting 
i mean what's the point of even having laws if they're not being enforced 
it's like they're not listening to the experts warning about the risks 
or maybe they just don't care 
because this is just so unfair to everyone involved 
especially those who are already struggling with their health and wellbeing 
we need more action from our authorities to shut down these operations for good 
. I'm all for regulation and safety when it comes to these kinds of products, but sometimes the laws just aren't keeping up 
. The MHRA needs to step up their game and get some actual arrests made 
.
The weight loss industry's lack of regulation is a classic case of this quote coming true. The fact that Fasial Tariq was able to operate such a massive illicit operation for so long, and the authorities still haven't taken action, shows that there's still work to be done in ensuring the growth of this industry doesn't come at the expense of public safety. It's like they say: "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." 
. Ecommerce Nutri Collectiv, Wholesale Supplements Limited... it's all connected, folks! 
And now we're talking about the website Alluvi-branded pens being seized and £20k in cash 
. That's like, basic stuff, right? 
!
And what about all the legit companies out there trying to make a difference in the health industry? shouldn't they be allowed to do their thing too?
. Can't trust anything online anymore, if you ask me 
.
. And the fact that it's still selling on some website after law enforcement shut down the operation? That's just not right 
.
i cant believe he got away with so much money 
It's wild that customers are still ordering from their site 
, even after getting burned by Stripe 
and bring some real justice 
. We need more awareness about this stuff 
!
