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You have come across so much regarding the use of slimming jabs to lose weight, you feel it is time to try them out in the run-up to the holiday period. The problem is expense.

But it seems alternatives exist instead of getting a prescription and going to the chemist. A text message arrives giving a link to a site with more affordable medication – and requiring no need to navigate proper procedures. And you saw a comparable advertisement on online platforms recently, prompting you to go for it.

The problem is such promotions are highly likely to be fraudulent schemes. At best, you'll receive nothing and lose whatever money you paid. In the worst, you receive a fake version, containing unspecified components which may result in serious medical issues.

The widespread use of legitimate slimming drugs has led to a increase in fake goods entering circulation and scams set up to merely steal people’s money.

Medical regulators have advised avoiding purchasing these illegal slimming medications without a prescription from beauty salons, bogus online chemists or via social media, stating they might include “toxins and other ingredients which may provoke real harm”.

Recent statistics from a major retail bank show a sharp rise in the quantity of customers who have been affected by the scam. The bank says, the amount of money stolen through scams involving weight loss injections, injector pens, pills and fat-dissolving products between July and September this year, was over twice the total sum stolen in the previous three months. Each incident typically sets back sufferers £120, reports indicate.

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

How It Appears

The majority occur on messaging apps and social media. Across platforms, a profile may mimic the brand that you are looking for, but there will typically be slight variations in spelling or brand marks.

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

As the price of some legitimate weight loss jabs, has increased of late, the scammers will set the cost of their “product” lower.

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

Recommended Actions

Like any deceptive scheme, the wise saying applies: if it appears overly advantageous, then it probably is.

Medical authorities have warned people to be highly vigilant when purchasing medications online. They should only be obtained from a registered pharmacy with a valid script issued by a medical practitioner, they advise. When procured from other sources, they may pose significant dangers to wellbeing.

Criminals can go to great lengths to make their site or online profile look as authentic as possible. Should they state to be an internet-based chemist based in the UK, it's possible to verify the website of the medicines oversight organisation to confirm this is correctly licensed.