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SCAMwatch home>Health and medical scams

Health and medical scams

These scams try to make money by exploiting people who have a medical condition or who are worried about their health. The scammers offer solutions or cures where none exist or promise to simplify complex health treatments.

Like the other scams featured on SCAMwatch, health and medical scams can end up costing you a lot of money. However, these scams can also do significant damage to you health.

If you try a phoney medicine or treatment, use a dangerous weight loss technique or take medicine that you buy from an unqualified internet scammer, you could be putting your health at great risk.

 

Miracle cure scams prey on the sick or desperate by selling drugs or treatments that don’t work or are even dangerous.

False claims are made to mislead you into buying ‘revolutionary’ pills, creams, diet advice or machines.

Fake online pharmacies offer drugs and medicines at very cheap prices or without a prescription. They can cause you major health and money problems.

Similar scams:


Spam emails usually offer free goods or ‘prizes’, very cheap products or promises of wealth. Responding to spam emails can result problems for you computer and your bank account.

Scams that exploit your romantic or compassionate side through expensive dating services, or pretending to be interested but then asking for money.

Psychic scammers claim that you are in danger or predict trouble and offer a solution, such as ‘winning’ lottery numbers or a lucky charm – for a hefty fee.

There are many types of scams that aim to steal your credit card details, either by taking the card itself or by tricking you into giving them the card’s details.

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