Earlier this year, Delhi police’s crime branch raided several locations in Laxmi Nagar, Budh Vihar and Chandni Chowk and uncovered a cache of fake cancer medicines. The counterfeit drugs were neatly packaged and labelled to appear genuine, ready to be sold online to patients desperate for affordable treatment.
According to a
report in The Indian Express, a six-member gang was behind the racket. They allegedly used social media platforms to advertise heavy discounts on life-saving drugs, luring unsuspecting buyers and putting their health and lives in grave danger.
In a separate investigation, Delhi police’s anti-corruption branch busted a fake pharmacy registration racket. Officials arrested 47 people, including a former registrar and a council clerk, for allegedly issuing bogus pharmacy credentials to unqualified operators.
According
to another report from the newspaper, these fraudulent registrations helped sham online pharmacies appear legitimate. Experts warn that such networks give cybercriminals a free hand to sell fake medicines under the guise of licensed pharmacies, putting public health at serious risk.
Adding to the concern, the All-India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) has raised serious warnings about e-pharmacy platforms. The body says that counterfeit or diverted medicines are entering the market without proper prescriptions or quality checks, exposing patients to significant health risks.
According to AIOCD, the lack of clear regulations has allowed some online pharmacies to illegally sell habit-forming and psychotropic drugs, including Schedule H, H1 and X medicines, without any prescription. Many of these medicines come from untraceable or unlicensed stock and are sold without physical verification or quality assurance, making the booming online medicine trade a hidden public health hazard, it says.
A Growing Global Menace
Pharma fraud is not just an Indian concern—it has become a global public health threat. Fraudulent online pharmacies have mushroomed worldwide, taking advantage of people looking for privacy, lower costs and quick delivery of medicines.
According to the US-based National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP), nearly 95% of online pharmacies operate illegally, and 96% do not ask for a prescription before selling medicines.
In the US, the drug enforcement administration (DEA) has repeatedly warned about counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl—a synthetic opioid up to 50 times more potent than heroin. Just 2mg (milligrams) or about the size of two grains of salt can be fatal. In 2023, the DEA seized more than 86mn (million) fake fentanyl pills, exceeding 59.6mn the previous year. These deadly counterfeits have been linked to numerous deaths, particularly among adolescents and young adults.
Why Buying Medicine Online Can Be Dangerous
Ordering medicines from unverified websites might feel convenient, but the risks are serious:
- Fake or ineffective medicines that delay proper treatment.
- Contaminated drugs that may contain rat poison, heavy metals, or even drywall powder.
- Life-threatening substances, such as fentanyl in counterfeit painkillers.
- Identity theft and financial fraud, as scam websites collect personal and payment details.
- Malware infections, triggered by clicking on unsafe links or downloading fake 'invoices'.
Many of these spurious medicines are packaged to look authentic, with holograms and printed expiry dates. But what is inside can be harmful, or completely inactive, putting lives at risk.
How Cybercriminals Operate
Investigations into online pharma scams reveal a highly organised network of cybercriminals running thousands of websites to sell counterfeit or unsafe medicines.
Common tactics include:
- Hijacking legitimate medical websites to secretly redirect visitors.
- Manipulating search engines to appear among trusted results.
- Creating fake review sites and testimonials, often using stock photos.
- Spamming emails and social media ads promoting 'miracle cures' or heavy discounts.
- Using suspicious payment methods, including UPI QR codes, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers.
The scams target medicines that are:
- High-demand – drugs people want urgently.
- High-risk – treatments with serious health implications.
- High-shame – products people prefer to buy discreetly.
These often include:
- Sexual health drugs like viagra, cialis and their generics.
- Weight-loss and hormone treatments such as metformin, rybelsus, and clomid.
- Misrepresented drugs like ivermectin or tretinoin, sold without medical supervision.
By preying on urgency, vulnerability and privacy concerns, these networks turn health risks into profitable cybercrime.
How To Spot a Fraudulent Online Pharma Shop
Be cautious if an online pharmacy shows any of these red flags:
- No prescription is required for medicines that usually need one.
- Unrealistic discounts or prices that seem too good to be true.
- No verified contact details or no licensed pharmacist available for queries.
- Poor grammar, sloppy content, or fake verification seals that cannot be clicked.
- Suspicious payment requests, such as cryptocurrency, gift cards, or direct wire transfers.
- Pressure tactics, like 'limited time offer' or urgent payment requests.
Staying Safe: Tips for Buying Medicine Online
If you need to purchase medicines online, make safety your top priority.
Following these steps can protect your health and money:
- Verify the pharmacy’s legitimacy – In India, check with the central drugs standard control organisation (CDSCO) or your state food and drug authority (FDA). In the US or UK, use NABP’s safe.pharmacy or the MHRA listings.
- Insist on a prescription – A genuine pharmacy always requires a valid prescription for prescription-only medicines.
- Use secure payment methods – Prefer credit or debit cards with fraud protection. Avoid paying via UPI QR codes, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers.
- Avoid suspicious links – Do not click on emails, pop-ups, or social media ads claiming to sell medicines. Visit only verified websites.
- Check for licensed pharmacists – Authentic e-pharmacies offer professional consultation and allow you to speak to a qualified pharmacist.
By following these precautions, you can reduce the risk of fake medicines, financial fraud, and data theft.
Your Health Is Your Responsibility
Buying medicines online may seem quick and discreet, but the risks are severe. From fake cancer drugs in Delhi to fentanyl-laced pills in the US, pharma fraud is a growing crime that preys on people at their most vulnerable moments.
The best protection is to stay informed, cautious and sceptical. In the world of online pharmacies, a single careless click can cost you not just your money, but your life.
Stay Alert, Stay Safe!
