🔗 Share this article Scammers' Fake Products 'May Lead to Serious Damage' You've come across so much about people using weight loss injections to get slim, you feel the moment has come to give it a go in the run-up to the holiday period. The problem is cost. But it seems alternatives exist instead of obtaining a doctor's script and visiting the pharmacy. An SMS arrives giving a link to a site with more affordable medication – and requiring no need to go through official channels. You also noticed a similar ad on social media the other day, prompting you to take the plunge. The catch is such promotions are highly likely to be scams. At best, you will be sent nothing and lose any funds you spent. At worst, you obtain a fake version, containing unspecified components that could lead to serious medical issues. The popularity of authentic weight loss medications has resulted in a rise in fake goods entering circulation and deceptive practices set up to merely steal people’s money. Medical regulators have advised avoiding purchasing such unlawful slimming medications without a prescription from beauty salons, bogus online chemists or via social media, stating they might include “toxins and additional components which may provoke genuine injury”. Recent statistics from a high street bank reveal a sharp rise in the quantity of clients who have been affected by the fraud. The bank says, the amount of money stolen through scams involving slimming jabs, pens, tablets and fat-dissolving products between July and September , was more than double the total sum lost in the prior quarter. The average scam costs victims £120, reports indicate. “Fraudsters are actively exploiting individuals' self-doubts and health concerns, with such frauds skyrocketing in recent months,” says a bank’s head of fraud. What it looks like Most occur on messaging apps and social media. Across platforms, a profile may imitate the brand that you seek, but you'll often notice slight variations in text or logos. These communications or posts will frequently use urgency-laden phrases such as “limited-time offer”, “special promotion” or “complimentary gift”. As the price of some legitimate slimming injections, has increased of late, the fraudsters will price their “item” lower. “Buying from unverified sellers on the internet can come at a serious financial, health-related and emotional cost,” says the fraud expert. Recommended Actions Like any deceptive scheme, the old adage holds true: if it appears overly advantageous, it likely isn't genuine. Health regulators have cautioned people to be extremely cautious when purchasing medications online. These products must only be obtained from a registered pharmacy with a valid script issued by a medical practitioner, they advise. If sourced elsewhere, they may pose significant dangers to wellbeing. Criminals can expend considerable effort to make their site or social media page look as authentic as possible. If they claim to be an internet-based chemist located within the UK, it's possible to verify the online portal of the medicines oversight organisation to confirm they are correctly licensed.