Christmas shoppers lose nearly £50,000 to fake botox and beauty scams

Beauty scammers may sell products that are fake or do not exist (Dominic Lipinski/PA Archive) Dominic Lipinski

Santander UK has warned Christmas shoppers about beauty treatment scammers who have stolen nearly £50,000 this year. The bank reported losses of £49,846.32 since January, with fraudsters using fake social media profiles to sell counterfeit cosmetics and cosmetic procedures that pose serious health risks.

The scams target shoppers searching for festive deals. About two-thirds of recorded victims are women, losing an average of £227 each to fake botox, lip fillers, perfumes and make-up.

Michelle Pilsworth, head of UK fraud at Santander, explained how the scams unfold. «The scam typically begins with a fake advert on social media promoting heavily discounted treatments or cosmetics», she said. «Once a user expresses interest, the seller will often move the conversation to a messaging app to arrange payment by bank transfer or payment link.»

The outcome leaves victims empty-handed. «Then the product never arrives or turns out to be fake – and victims are left with nothing but regret», Pilsworth warned.

Health risks beyond financial loss

The fraud poses dangers beyond lost money. «This isn't just about losing money – it's about protecting your wellbeing. Fake cosmetic treatments can cause real harm», Pilsworth said.

Dr Emma Meredith, director general of the Cosmetic Toiletry & Perfumery Association, emphasized the health threats. «Counterfeit cosmetics and personal care products may look like the brands we love, but the packaging is where the similarity ends», she explained. «You could be buying a product that won't work in the way you want, or worse, could pose a serious risk to your health.»

The industry association highlighted broader implications. «Fake, illegal and fraudulent products not only jeopardise consumer wellbeing but also threaten the trust that millions of consumers have in the many legal and safe cosmetic products available and used every day», Meredith said.

Warning signs to watch for

The Cosmetic Toiletry & Perfumery Association identified key red flags for shoppers. Products offered at suspiciously cheap prices signal potential scams. Ads promoting "flash sales" with heavy discounts should raise concerns.

Fake social media accounts using original brand names require verification through official brand websites. Profiles that post extensively about products but barely engage with other community members often indicate fraudulent activity.

Pilsworth warned fraudsters exploit seasonal shopping patterns. «As the festive party season approaches, Santander is urging consumers to be especially vigilant. Fraudsters know shoppers are likely to be on the hunt for new deals and low-cost gifts ahead of Christmas, and they'll use this to their advantage», she said.

Her advice remained straightforward. «Slick social media profiles and fake reviews might appear trustworthy – but if an offer looks too good to be true, it probably is.»

Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).