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You've come across so much regarding the use of weight loss injections to get slim, it feels like the moment has come to try them out in the run-up to the holiday period. The problem is cost.

Yet it appears there are other options rather than getting a prescription and going to the chemist. An SMS arrives giving a link to a website with much cheaper medication – and with no need to navigate official channels. And you saw a similar ad on social media the other day, so you decide to take the plunge.

The catch is such promotions are highly likely to be fraudulent schemes. In the best-case scenario, you'll receive no product and forfeit any funds you spent. 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 resulted in a increase in fake goods entering circulation and scams set up to simply take people’s money.

Medical regulators have advised avoiding buying such unlawful weight loss medicines absent a doctor's order from beauty salons, fake pharmacy websites or via digital platforms, stating they might include “harmful substances and other ingredients that could cause genuine injury”.

Recent statistics from a high street bank reveal a significant surge in the quantity of customers who have been impacted by the scam. The bank says, the total sum lost to scams related to slimming jabs, injector pens, pills and fat-dissolving products between July and September , was over twice the total sum stolen in the prior quarter. The average scam sets back sufferers £120, reports indicate.

“Fraudsters are deliberately targeting individuals' self-doubts and health concerns, with these scams skyrocketing in recent months,” says a bank’s head of fraud.

What it looks like

The majority occur on messaging apps and social networks. On socials, a profile may mimic the company that you seek, but you'll often notice subtle differences in text or brand marks.

The messages or posts will often use urgency-laden phrases such as “limited-time offer”, “special promotion” or “complimentary gift”.

With the cost of some legitimate weight loss jabs, rose recently, the scammers will set the cost of their “item” lower.

“Buying from unverified sellers online can come at a significant financial, medical and psychological toll,” warns the security specialist.

What to do

As with all scams, the old adage holds true: if it appears too good to be true, it likely isn't genuine.

Medical authorities 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 healthcare professional, it says. If sourced elsewhere, they can present serious risks to wellbeing.

Fraudsters can go to great lengths to design their webpage or social media page appear completely genuine. If they claim to be an internet-based chemist based in Great Britain, you can check the website of the medicines oversight organisation to ensure they are properly registered.