🔗 Share this article Fraudsters' Counterfeit Goods 'May Lead to Real Harm' You've come across so much about people using weight loss injections to lose weight, it feels like it is time to give it a go in the run-up to the holiday period. However, the issue lies in cost. But it seems alternatives exist instead of getting a prescription and visiting the chemist. A text message arrives providing a URL to a site with more affordable medication – and with no necessity to navigate proper procedures. You also noticed a comparable advertisement on social media the other day, so you decide to take the plunge. The problem is such promotions are highly likely to be scams. At best, you will be sent no product and forfeit any funds you paid. In the worst, you receive a fake version, with unknown ingredients which may result in severe health problems. The widespread use of authentic weight loss medications has led to a rise in counterfeit products entering circulation and scams set up to simply take people’s money. Health authorities have warned against purchasing such unlawful slimming medications absent a doctor's order from beauty salons, bogus online chemists or via digital platforms, stating they could contain “toxins and additional components that could cause real harm”. New figures from a major retail bank show a significant surge in the quantity of clients who have been affected by the scam. According to the bank, the total sum lost to fraudulent activities involving slimming jabs, injector pens, pills and lipid-reducing solutions during the third quarter , was over twice the overall amount stolen in the prior quarter. Each incident typically costs victims £120, reports indicate. “Fraudsters are deliberately targeting individuals' self-doubts and medical worries, with such frauds soaring in recent months,” notes a financial institution's fraud prevention lead. What it looks like Most take place on messaging apps and social media. On socials, a profile may mimic the brand that you are looking for, but you'll often notice subtle differences in spelling or logos. The messages or updates will often use urgency-laden phrases such as “time-sensitive deal”, “special promotion” or “complimentary gift”. With the cost of some legitimate slimming injections, rose recently, the fraudsters will set the cost of their “item” more cheaply. “Buying from unverified sellers on the internet can entail a serious monetary, health-related and psychological toll,” warns the fraud expert. Recommended Actions Like any deceptive scheme, the old adage holds true: if it appears overly advantageous, then it probably is. Health regulators have warned people to be extremely cautious when purchasing medications online. They should only be obtained from a registered pharmacy with a valid script issued by a medical practitioner, they advise. If sourced elsewhere, they can present serious risks to wellbeing. Criminals can expend considerable effort to design their webpage or online profile look as authentic as possible. Should they state to be an online pharmacy located within Great Britain, it's possible to verify the online portal of the pharmaceutical regulatory body to confirm this is correctly licensed.