Spike in Ozempic Scams Amid Soaring Demand for Weight Loss Drugs
McAfee reports nearly 500 malicious websites and 200,000 phishing attempts targeting Ozempic and similar medications in early 2024.
- Scammers exploit high demand and supply shortages of weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy.
- McAfee identified 449 risky websites and 176,000 phishing attempts from January to April 2024.
- Fraudsters impersonate doctors and use fake profiles on platforms like Facebook and Craigslist.
- Victims receive fake drugs or nothing at all, often paying through untraceable methods like Bitcoin and Venmo.
- Consumers are advised to avoid deep discounts, verify sellers, and use licensed pharmacies.