Between Q1 and Q3 2025, the value of weight loss and health product scams increased by 417% and volume of these scams, by 286%.
Between July and September, the average weight loss scam cost Santander customers £120, with almost £4,000 being stolen in this period.
Santander is urging Brits to stay alert when shopping online by following three simple steps.
New data from Santander reveals scams involving weight loss injections, pens, tablets and fat-dissolving products have risen sharply, with £3,742 stolen by fraudsters in Q3 this year – more than double (143% increase) the amount reported in the previous quarter.
Scams relating to supplements, pills and medicines have also more than doubled in value, climbing 105% from £6,339 in Q2 to £13,030 in Q3.
Michelle Pilsworth, Head of Fraud and Customer Experience at Santander UK said: “We saw a record number of fake weight loss jabs seized in the UK earlier this week, and this is mirrored in the types of scams that we’re seeing day in day out. Fraudsters are actively exploiting people’s insecurities and health concerns, with scams involving weight loss products, supplements and medicines soaring in recent months.”
The findings reveal that both men (45%) and women (55%) are being targeted, with the average scam costing customers £120. The total volume of weight loss and health product scams has increased by a huge 286% between Q1 and Q3 of this year, with the total value of the scams increasing by 417%.
Michelle Pilsworth continued: “We have seen a worrying rise in scam cases linked to slimming injections, pens and fat-dissolving products, with those involving pills and medicines more than doubling quarter-on-quarter. These scams affect both men and women, and almost all cases are taking place through social media and messaging apps.
“Our message is clear: if a deal looks too good to be true, it almost certainly is, and buying from unverified sellers online can come at a serious financial, health-related and emotional cost.”
Santander is encouraging people to stay alert when shopping online by following these three simple steps:
Check the Source: Look closely at the account posting the ad. Scammers often create profiles that mimic real brands but have subtle differences in spelling or logos.
Assess the risk: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Scams often use phrases like “limited-time offer,” “exclusive deal,” or “free giveaway” to create urgency.
Follow platform guidelines: If you’re using common online selling sites, stick to their recommended payment channels.
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Santander UK is a financial services provider in the UK that offers a wide range of personal and commercial financial products and services. The bank serves its customers via a nationwide branch network, telephone, mobile and online banking. Santander UK is subject to the full supervision of the FCA and the PRA in the UK. Santander UK plc customers’ eligible deposits are protected by the FSCS in the UK.
Banco Santander (SAN SM) is a leading commercial bank, founded in 1857 and headquartered in Spain and one of the largest banks in the world by market capitalization. The group’s activities are consolidated into five global businesses: Retail & Commercial Banking, Digital Consumer Bank, Corporate & Investment Banking (CIB), Wealth Management & Insurance and Payments (PagoNxt and Cards). This operating model allows the bank to better leverage its unique combination of global scale and local leadership. Santander aims to be the best open financial services platform providing services to individuals, SMEs, corporates, financial institutions and governments. The bank’s purpose is to help people and businesses prosper in a simple, personal and fair way. Santander is building a more responsible bank and has made a number of commitments to support this objective, including raising €220 billion in green financing between 2019 and 2030. In the first quarter of 2025, Banco Santander had €1.4 trillion in total funds, 175 million customers, 7,900 branches and 207,000 employees.