A small berry from the Amazon is sprouting scams across the U.S., the 10News I-Team reported.

The acai berry is touted on numerous Web sites for its energy boosting and fat busting power.

"Some people are saying it's the best fat-fighting formula in the world," exclaims one Web site spokesperson.

Free trials for acai number in the dozens, but the results are not what people expect.

"I'm appalled, I'm just absolutely appalled," said Lynn Baum.

Baum was duped into a misleading offer for acai.

"At this point, I'm out $345," she says.

Her bank account was drained that money after she signed up for what was being advertised on an Acai Berry Detox Web site as a free trial offer.

"I thought I was paying $3.99 for shipping for a free one-month trial of this product," Baum says.

Navy wife and mom Jacque Bosanco was burned by the same Web site. She, too, believed she was paying only for shipping and handling. But after ordering Acai Berry Detox her bank account was debited $87. Plus, the company debited another $88 for a colon product she didn't order.

"I was very alarmed, I called my bank immediately and had them cancel my debit card," she says.

The company gives an 800 number for customer calls and complaints, but both customers interviewed by 10News could not get through, or were given the run-around.

There are several different names for the acai free trials, but they all share the same fine print at the bottom of the Web sites. The tiny terms and conditions reveal no free trial offer. Customers are charged full price for each bottle within 14 days of ordering the product.

The company is listed under several addresses, including one that turns out to be an empty office suite with boxes marked "return to sender" piled up at the door.

The I-Team does eventually track down the parent company, FWM Laboratories, in North Hollywood, Florida.

We arrive at the company warehouse and attempt to speak with the owner or manager. We are greeted by fleeing employees scrambling to shut doors, hide behind walls, and close the main garage where the product is stored. We also find a dumpster filled with product that has been returned.

An attorney for FWM does not return a call or email to comment.

Lynn Baum's bank, Wamu, initially refused to remove the $350 charge from her account, even though she said she had been defrauded. After a call from the I –Team, a Wamu representative said the charge would be reversed. Wamu did refund half the money Baum was charged and FWM credited her account the other half.

FWM did the same for Jacque Bosanco, and she is working with her bank to remove the other charge.

One tip, customers should never use a debit card for any online purchase. It's like giving crooks a key to your bank account.