Dodgy dealers online are cashing in on the craze for a weight loss drug popular with celebrities by selling a cut-price version mixed with chemicals which are making people seriously ill
Slimmers are falling seriously ill after injecting a fake weight loss drug made with industrial acid.
It is sold online by dodgy dealers cashing in on the craze for semaglutide â a legitimate medication said to be popular with celebs wanting a “skinny jab”. Semaglutide, also called Ozempic, is not yet available on the NHS, costs a fortune privately and is illegal unless prescribed by a registered medic.
So cowboys have created a cut-price version by mixing it with a strong acid used in the chemical industry. Desperate dieters unaware of the scam order it online with no questions asked. Once delivered through the post they can inject it themselves into their arms, thighs or bellies.
We bought some from three sellers on social media and had them lab tested â with chilling results. Each contained semaglutide mixed with TFA, or trifluoroacetic acid â a toxic chemical which can cause blindness, serious burns, shortness of breath, hepatitis and cancer.