Scammers' Counterfeit Goods 'Could Cause Real Harm'

You have heard and read so much about people using weight loss injections to get slim, you feel it is time to try them out ahead of the festive season. However, the issue lies in expense.

But it seems alternatives exist instead of getting a prescription and going to the pharmacy. An SMS arrives providing a URL to a site with much cheaper medication – and with no need to navigate proper procedures. And you saw a similar ad on social media the other day, prompting you to go for it.

The problem is these ads are highly likely to be scams. At best, you'll receive no product and forfeit any funds you spent. In the worst, you obtain a fake version, containing unspecified components that could lead to serious medical issues.

The popularity of authentic slimming drugs has led to a increase in fake goods hitting the market and scams set up to simply take people’s money.

Medical regulators have warned against purchasing such unlawful weight loss medicines absent a doctor's order from aesthetic clinics, fake pharmacy websites or via social media, saying they might include “toxins and additional components that could cause genuine injury”.

New figures from a major retail bank reveal a sharp rise in the number of clients who have been impacted by the scam. According to the bank, the total sum stolen through scams involving weight loss injections, pens, tablets and lipid-reducing solutions during the third quarter this year, was over twice the overall amount stolen in the previous three months. The average scam sets back sufferers £120, it says.

“Scammers are actively exploiting people’s insecurities and health concerns, with such frauds soaring in recent months,” notes a financial institution's fraud prevention lead.

How It Appears

The majority occur on messaging apps and social media. On socials, an account may imitate the company that you are looking for, but there will typically be slight variations in spelling or logos.

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

As the price of certain authentic slimming injections, has increased recently, the scammers will price their “product” lower.

“Purchasing from unverified sellers online can entail a serious financial, medical and psychological toll,” warns the fraud expert.

Recommended Actions

Like any deceptive scheme, the wise saying holds true: should something seem overly advantageous, then it probably is.

Health regulators have cautioned people to be highly vigilant when buying medicines online. They should solely be acquired from a licensed chemist using a prescription issued by a healthcare professional, they advise. When procured from other sources, they can present serious risks to health.

Fraudsters can go to great lengths to make their site or online profile appear completely genuine. If they claim to be an online pharmacy based in Great Britain, you can check the online portal of the medicines oversight organisation to confirm this is correctly licensed.