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You don’t have to agree with me, but in my humble opinion, nothing hurts as much as a food scam.

Picture a single lonely raisin in a puffy cinnamon and raisin bagel, or a dash of mayo gently glued to the surface of a taco when you ask for extra sour cream on the side, or think of how many lies you had to suck in with all that deceptive packaging sold on the shelves like it was no big deal... If that’s not cruel, I don’t know what is.

Food scams are so widespread, people don’t really talk about ‘em. Have we all become immune to them? Luckily, there’s one corner of reddit known as r/FoodScam that shares all fraudulent incidents of people getting not what they ordered, not what they paid for, and strictly not what they wanted. Let’s see a selection of the nastiest food scams below.

#3

Life Is Like A Box Of Chocolates: A Big Fat Lie

Life Is Like A Box Of Chocolates: A Big Fat Lie

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I want cake
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Such a waste of packaging as well. They could have used the same amount of packaging for two boxes.

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JessG
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's not a waste for the company. The consumer pays for it. In.every.sense.of.the.word.

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Mazer
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Awwwwwww. I’d be calling the cops…you got robbed!!!! Dang, This is just hateful

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Carmen Sandiego
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My other friend, Ivy, a known chocolate lover, would like to wish the person responsible an equally disappointing day.

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Valley Girl
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Truthfully, I think this is more than enough of "compound chocolate with mix flavour filling"

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TinaSomewhere
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Germany packaging like that is forbidden by a certain law. We call boxes like this one „Mogelpackung“,which translates to „cheating box“.

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Jo Choto
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feel like the packaging costs more than the chocolates, so why??

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Dorothy Parker
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No! The quantity might be written in a language other than English.

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Brian Bennett
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Quantity hell! These are sold by weight. I've got a little bridge in Brooklyn for sale care to make an offer!

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Casey B
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When it comes to boxes like this, always, always read the serving size written on the box... Never assume. Don't trust manufacturers, especially around the holidays.

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Melvin Dragvelk
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Maybe learn to read? Every box tells you the amount of candy inside, so it shouldn't be a surprise unless you are too dumb to read.

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Nadine Bamberger
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Come on, they've got to know how disappointed and hiw very much unwilling to buy one ver again this would leave people.

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Mark Fuller
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And to top it off, the bloody name has the word "more" in it! Me thinks not.

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Hannah Edwards
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If I bought it at Pound Land I’d think it was fair enough as far as the scam goes, but a criminal waste of plastic nonetheless.

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Stannous Flouride
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For a second I thought the new Vice-President had a side business making chocolates.

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Ezigma
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What did you expect from cheaply made chocolate lol? It's compound chocolate 🤢

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Previously, we talked to Portugal-based graphic designer Laura Vanagaite, who explained how and why our mind gets so easily tricked by deceptive packaging. “Once we see unique photos of food and drinks, our mind creates the impression that the volume of the contents is greater than it actually is.” This anticipation is destroyed as soon as you open the package. “And once we find out that the reality is different, we feel disappointment.”

When asked why there is still so much deceptive packaging sold in the shopping aisles, Laura said that this is a clever marketing technique. “Brands know that beautiful imagery sells and that catchy photos with great products create the illusion which will help to sell it fast.”

#4

Basically Just Paid For The Fancy Tin

Basically Just Paid For The Fancy Tin

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#5

Sticker Hides The Fact That The Jar Is Half Full, Makes You Think The Content Is Double In Size

Sticker Hides The Fact That The Jar Is Half Full, Makes You Think The Content Is Double In Size

doomstereu Report

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Obi Wang Kenobi
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At least this time the person caught the scam before it went to far :)

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#6

Ah Come On

Ah Come On

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troufaki13
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To be honest I don't know if I would want so much poppy seed jam in my brioche :/

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Various studies have shown that consumers tend not to notice package downsizing at the time of purchase because most of us do not read the content information on packaging, but instead use visual estimations of package volume and content. Moreover, many of us are impulsive buyers and if the product and its design looks good, our brain tells us it’s gonna taste good, so we make a decision without too much questioning.

#7

This "Box" Of Beef Jerky

This "Box" Of Beef Jerky

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Troux
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I guess if you checked from the bottom you could see the scam

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#8

Wife Asked For Extra Sour Cream On The Side

Wife Asked For Extra Sour Cream On The Side

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#9

As If We Didn't Already Have Enough Packaging On Chips

As If We Didn't Already Have Enough Packaging On Chips

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#11

I Was Told My 2020reo Ice Cream Belonged Here

I Was Told My 2020reo Ice Cream Belonged Here

Krystaphonix Report

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Brian Bennett
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I worked for Breyers this is not a mistake this is a habit for them. Typical of big business!

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#12

It Says Delicate Roses On The Packaging, I Don't Think So

It Says Delicate Roses On The Packaging, I Don't Think So

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#15

Cinnamon And Singular Raisin Bagel

Cinnamon And Singular Raisin Bagel

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#18

To Be Fair, I Monched A Few Chips In The Corner Before The Pic

To Be Fair, I Monched A Few Chips In The Corner Before The Pic

c***pinhammers Report

#19

When They Said "Chocolate Chip Muffin", I Didn't Take Them Literally... But Should Have

When They Said "Chocolate Chip Muffin", I Didn't Take Them Literally... But Should Have

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#20

Hello? Canolli Police? I'd Like To Report A Crime

Hello? Canolli Police? I'd Like To Report A Crime

BigBucks5001 Report

#21

My Girlfriend Got Me Conversation Hearts For Valentine’s Day. They Have No Words!

My Girlfriend Got Me Conversation Hearts For Valentine’s Day. They Have No Words!

I-have-a-pet-dragon Report

#22

Ten Dollar Avocado Nigiri At Sushi Restaurant

Ten Dollar Avocado Nigiri At Sushi Restaurant

the_tourist Report

#23

Tempting On The Packaging

Tempting On The Packaging

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#26

I Paid £5 For This Tomato Salad In London

I Paid £5 For This Tomato Salad In London

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#27

This Is How Much Root Beer They Gave Me

This Is How Much Root Beer They Gave Me

PaperCut611 Report

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Phil DeBlanc
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Always ask for a soft drink with no ice. It is refrigerated so it will come cold.

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#30

Less Than Jumbo Shrimp

Less Than Jumbo Shrimp

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#32

These Chocolates, Which Have Always Been Five In A Pack, Are Now Four With A Paper Piece Inside The Box To Make It Look Like There's Five

These Chocolates, Which Have Always Been Five In A Pack, Are Now Four With A Paper Piece Inside The Box To Make It Look Like There's Five

KrysAnn1985 Report

#34

My "Blueberry Granola" Came With One F***ing Blueberry. Now Ur Thinking, Well It Says "Blueberry" Which Is Singular, The Ingredients Say "Blueberries" Which Implies That There Is More Than One Blueberry In The Bag. I've Been Robbed

My "Blueberry Granola" Came With One F***ing Blueberry. Now Ur Thinking, Well It Says "Blueberry" Which Is Singular, The Ingredients Say "Blueberries" Which Implies That There Is More Than One Blueberry In The Bag. I've Been Robbed

miakhalifaslilsissy Report

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Mazer
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Agreed. I would send the package back to the company and tell them they either need to change their label to reflect that they are only giving people one blueberry where they need to add one more blueberry to the bag to be legally correct!!! I don’t get how these companies stay in business shirking the public like this.

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#35

12 Oz Can Of Tomato Paste Opened Fresh With A Hollow Middle

12 Oz Can Of Tomato Paste Opened Fresh With A Hollow Middle

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Mihai Mara
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

maybe a factory worker used it for something else before putting it back on the line :D

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#37

The Amount Of Barbecue Sauce On My Rodeo Cheeseburger From Burger King

The Amount Of Barbecue Sauce On My Rodeo Cheeseburger From Burger King

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Mazer
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OK I get it fast food but how can anybody serve this to another human being and feel OK about it???

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#38

Watch Out For That Tidal Wave Of Chocolate

Watch Out For That Tidal Wave Of Chocolate

Zerostar39 Report

#39

I Want The Rest Of My Jolly Ranchers. (Package Was Inside The Mug)

I Want The Rest Of My Jolly Ranchers. (Package Was Inside The Mug)

nate_oi Report

#40

I Didn't Know That You Have To Buy The Chocolate Separately

I Didn't Know That You Have To Buy The Chocolate Separately

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Kathryn Baylis
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Check the expiration date on the package. This one looks like it could be stale—-like the chocolate dried up and shrank. In fact, it looks kind of like it’s turning white, which means it’s so old the butter fat has separated out.

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#41

Thanks For The 2 Sprinkles, Dunkin

Thanks For The 2 Sprinkles, Dunkin

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ThoughtsAreNotFacts
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Love donuts, but that icing looks like microwaved pepto bismol! More sprinkles wouldn't have made it more appealing

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#42

My Uncle Ordered A Cake

My Uncle Ordered A Cake

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Troux
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The hair looks pretty good! This isn't a scam, it just looks like someone wasn't up to the order. Usually you can look at samples of their work to avoid things like this.

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#44

10 Dollar Slice Of Cheesecake!!! The Container Could Have Fit An Entire Second Slice Easily

10 Dollar Slice Of Cheesecake!!! The Container Could Have Fit An Entire Second Slice Easily

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#45

This Fish Which Only Shows The Outside While The Inside Is Filled With Onion

This Fish Which Only Shows The Outside While The Inside Is Filled With Onion

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Note: this post originally had 47 images. It’s been shortened to the top 45 images based on user votes.