🔗 Share this article

You have heard and read a great deal about people using weight loss injections to get slim, it feels like the moment has come to give it a go ahead of the holiday period. The problem is cost.

But it seems alternatives exist rather than getting a prescription and going to the pharmacy. A text message arrives giving a link to a website with more affordable medication – and with no necessity to navigate official channels. You also noticed a similar ad on social media the other day, prompting you to take the plunge.

The catch is these ads are highly likely to be scams. At best, you will be sent nothing and lose whatever money you spent. In the worst, you receive a fake version, containing unspecified components which may result in serious medical issues.

The widespread use of legitimate weight loss medications has led to a rise in counterfeit products entering circulation and scams set up to simply take consumers' cash.

Medical regulators have warned against buying such unlawful weight loss medicines absent a doctor's order from beauty salons, fake pharmacy websites or via digital platforms, stating they might include “toxins and other ingredients that could cause real harm”.

Recent statistics from a major retail bank show a significant surge in the number of clients who have been impacted by the scam. The bank says, the total sum lost to fraudulent activities related to slimming jabs, pens, tablets and lipid-reducing solutions between July and September this year, was over twice the total sum stolen in the prior quarter. Each incident typically costs victims £120, it says.

“Fraudsters are actively exploiting individuals' self-doubts and health concerns, with such frauds skyrocketing in recent months,” notes a bank’s head of fraud.

How It Appears

Most occur on communication platforms and social networks. Across platforms, a profile may mimic the company that you are looking for, but there will typically be slight variations in spelling or logos.

These communications or posts will often use urgency-laden phrases such as “time-sensitive deal”, “special promotion” or “free giveaway”.

With the cost of certain authentic slimming injections, has increased recently, the fraudsters will price their “item” lower.

“Buying from unverified sellers on the internet can come at a serious financial, medical and emotional cost,” warns the fraud expert.

Recommended Actions

As with all scams, the wise saying applies: if it appears overly advantageous, it likely isn't genuine.

Medical authorities have warned people to be highly vigilant when purchasing medications online. These products must only be obtained from a registered pharmacy using a prescription provided by a medical practitioner, they advise. When procured from other sources, they can present serious risks to wellbeing.

Criminals can expend considerable effort to design their webpage or social media page appear completely genuine. Should they state to be an internet-based chemist based in the UK, it's possible to verify the online portal of the medicines oversight organisation to confirm this is properly registered.