ASA Adjudication on Mr Taslimi

Ad

A leaflet was headlined "MR. TASLIMI SPIRITUAL HEALER / ADVISOR". Text continued "When you come to see me, I will tell you your problems and what is in your heart/mind and what you are going to do in near future [sic] … I can solve all you [sic] problems: Bring back your loved ones, Sexual problems, Black Magic, Protection, Marriage problems, Business problems, Bad Spirit and Voodoo, help you with playing games etc.. RESULT IN 7 DAYS …".

Issue

The complainant, who received the leaflet through her letter box, challenged whether its claims could be substantiated and believed it could mislead and exploit vulnerable people.

CAP Code (Edition 11)

Response

Mr Taslimi did not respond to the ASAs enquiries.

Assessment

Upheld

The ASA was concerned by Mr Taslimi's lack of response and apparent disregard for the Code, which was a breach of CAP Code clause 2.6 (Non-response). We reminded him of his responsibility to respond promptly to our enquiries and told him to do so in future.

In the absence of any response or evidence to substantiate the claims made in the leaflet, we considered that the approach used had not been justified.  We concluded that the leaflet was misleading and could exploit vulnerable people.   

The ad breached CAP Code clauses 2.6 (Non-response), 3.1 (Substantiation), 6.1 (Honesty) and 7.1 (Truthfulness).          

Action

We told Mr Taslimi to stop distribution of the leaflet with immediate effect and not to repeat any of its claims in future marketing.  We urged him to seek guidance from the CAP Copy Advice team before advertising again and asked CAP to inform its media members of the problem with Mr Taslimi.

Adjudication of the ASA Council (Non-broadcast)