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You have come across a great deal about people using weight loss injections to lose weight, it feels like it is time to give it a go ahead of the festive season. The problem is expense.

Yet it appears alternatives exist rather than obtaining a doctor's script and going to the chemist. An SMS comes through providing a URL to a site with more affordable drugs – and requiring no need to go through official channels. You also noticed a similar ad on online platforms recently, so you decide to take the plunge.

The catch is such promotions are almost certainly scams. In the best-case scenario, you'll receive no product and forfeit any funds you spent. In the worst, you obtain a fake version, containing unspecified components which may result in serious medical issues.

The popularity of authentic slimming drugs has led to a increase in fake goods hitting the market and deceptive practices set up to merely steal consumers' cash.

Medical regulators have advised avoiding buying such unlawful weight loss medicines absent a doctor's order from aesthetic clinics, fake pharmacy websites or via social media, saying they could contain “harmful substances and other ingredients which may provoke 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. The bank says, the total sum stolen through scams related to slimming jabs, pens, pills and lipid-reducing solutions during the third quarter this year, was more than double the total sum lost in the previous three months. The average scam costs victims £120, it says.

“Fraudsters are actively exploiting individuals' self-doubts and health concerns, with such frauds soaring in recent months,” notes a financial institution's fraud prevention lead.

How It Appears

Most take place on communication platforms and social media. On socials, an account may mimic the company that you seek, but you'll often notice slight variations in text or brand marks.

The messages or updates will frequently use pressure-inducing language such as “time-sensitive deal”, “exclusive deal” or “complimentary gift”.

As the price of certain authentic weight loss jabs, rose recently, the fraudsters will price their “item” lower.

“Purchasing from unverified sellers online can entail a serious financial, health-related and emotional cost,” says the security specialist.

Recommended Actions

As with all scams, the old adage holds true: should something seem overly advantageous, it likely isn't genuine.

Medical authorities have cautioned people to be extremely cautious when purchasing medications via the web. These products must only be obtained from a registered pharmacy using a prescription issued by a medical practitioner, they advise. If sourced elsewhere, they may pose serious risks to wellbeing.

Criminals can expend considerable effort to design their webpage or online profile appear completely genuine. If they claim to be an online pharmacy located within Great Britain, it's possible to verify the online portal of the medicines oversight organisation to confirm this is correctly licensed.