🔗 Share this article

You have heard and read a great deal regarding the use of weight loss injections to lose weight, you feel the moment has come to give it a go ahead of the holiday period. However, the issue lies in cost.

But it seems alternatives exist instead of getting a prescription and visiting the chemist. An SMS arrives providing a URL to a website with more affordable medication – and with no need to go through official channels. And you saw a comparable advertisement on social media the other day, prompting you to take the plunge.

The catch is these ads are almost certainly fraudulent schemes. At best, you'll receive nothing and forfeit whatever money you spent. At worst, you receive a counterfeit item, containing unspecified components that could lead to serious medical issues.

The widespread use of legitimate slimming drugs has resulted in a rise in fake goods hitting the market and scams established to simply take consumers' cash.

Health authorities have warned against buying these illegal slimming medications absent a doctor's order from beauty salons, bogus online chemists or via social media, stating they might include “toxins and additional components that could cause genuine injury”.

New figures from a major retail bank reveal a significant surge in the number of customers who have been impacted by the scam. According to the bank, the total sum lost to scams involving weight loss injections, injector pens, tablets and fat-dissolving products during the third quarter this year, was more than double the overall amount stolen in the previous three months. The average scam sets back sufferers £120, reports indicate.

“Scammers are deliberately targeting individuals' self-doubts and health concerns, with these scams soaring in the past few months,” says a bank’s head of fraud.

What it looks like

The majority take place on messaging apps and social media. Across platforms, an account may mimic the company that you are looking for, but there will typically be subtle differences in text or logos.

The messages or posts will often use urgency-laden phrases such as “limited-time offer”, “exclusive deal” or “free giveaway”.

With the cost of certain authentic slimming injections, has increased of late, the scammers will price their “product” more cheaply.

“Purchasing from unverified sellers online can come at a serious financial, health-related and psychological toll,” warns the fraud expert.

What to do

As with all scams, the wise saying applies: if it appears too good to be true, then it probably is.

Medical authorities have warned people to be highly vigilant when buying medicines via the web. These products must only be obtained from a licensed chemist with a valid script provided by a healthcare professional, it says. When procured from other sources, they can present significant dangers to health.

Criminals can expend considerable effort to design their webpage or online profile appear completely genuine. If they claim to be an internet-based chemist located within Great Britain, it's possible to verify the online portal of the pharmaceutical regulatory body to confirm they are correctly licensed.