THE before and after photographs of Nicola Dexter’s weight loss journey are inspiring for anyone keen to lose a few pounds.

But there’s a sinister truth behind the images: Nicola has never been bigger than a slim size 10 and the ‘before’ picture has actually been doctored by scammers.

Mum's photos stolen and manipulated to promote weight-loss products on TikTokNicola Dexter was horrified when she discovered pictures of herself on a bogus weight loss advert Credit: SWNS Mum's photos stolen and manipulated to promote weight-loss products on TikTokThe scammer had made fake plus-size photos of Nicola to create a deceptive ‘before and after’ advert Credit: SWNS

Scammers had crafted fake “before” shots of her as a plus-size model and coupled them with her real , claiming she’d shed the pounds by taking their product, Pinkies.

Nicola said the convincing TikTok posts attracted scores of comments from people asking where they could buy the supposed treatment.

She said: “I was in shock that someone could take my image and make me look a certain way in order to make money.

“They’d made me look very overweight and blown up. What the hell?”

Mum's photos stolen and manipulated to promote weight-loss products on TikTokAcquaintances approached Nicola asking if she used to be overweight Credit: SWNS Mum's photos stolen and manipulated to promote weight-loss products on TikTokShe said she felt embarassed and as though her identity had been ‘stolen’ Credit: SWNS Mum's photos stolen and manipulated to promote weight-loss products on TikTokNicola said the posts had attracted scores of people asking where they could buy the product Credit: SWNS Mum's photos stolen and manipulated to promote weight-loss products on TikTokTikTok has now taken down the bogus account Credit: SWNS

She added: “Some of the customers were asking – is this you? Did you used to look like that?

“I felt embarrassed. It’s my identity they’d stolen, and it’s not nice.

“I felt violated; like people were laughing at me.”

Her daughter, Antonia Dexter, 27, said: “It was so stressful. No matter how many times we reported it, it seemed like TikTok didn’t care.

Mum's photos stolen and manipulated to promote weight-loss products on TikTokThe bogus ad claims the drug will help with bingo fat, night sweats and body aches Credit: SWNS Mum's photos stolen and manipulated to promote weight-loss products on TikTokNeither Nicola nor her daughter had any idea the images were being used until a customer sent them on Credit: SWNS Mum's photos stolen and manipulated to promote weight-loss products on TikTokNicola runs a clothing company with her daughter in West Yorkshire, called Style by Eleven Credit: SWNS Mum's photos stolen and manipulated to promote weight-loss products on TikTokThe doctored modelling snaps had been stolen from her social media account Credit: SWNS

“We were worried that they were promoting a drug that could have been anything.

“Her face was all over the internet.”

Nicola and Antonia run Style By Eleven, a mother-and-daughter clothing boutique based in Ossett, West Yorks.

They established the around the covid pandemic and have since built-up a loyal following in their shop and online.

Nicola models the outfits while Antonia takes the photographs and manages the company’s online platform.

The pair had no idea theit images were being misused until a concerned sent them screenshots.

Antonia said: “We weren’t aware of the account. One of our customers reached out to us. They told us that they were using my mum’s pictures to promote this drug. We were shocked.

“Each post had loads of comments asking where they could buy the weight loss drug. We were really worried for the people who were interested in buying it.

“We didn’t want people to think that we were promoting it.”

Antonia believes the stolen were manipulated using AI to enlarge her mum’s body.

The account then paired them with the original pictures and falsely claimed Nicola’s apparent transformation had been achieved using the weight-loss product.

It also linked to an external website where capsules and “food noise patches” could be purchased.

Antonia said: “We think they’ve taken the from our Facebook page and have used AI to make her look overweight.

“Then they post an unedited picture of my mum saying that she’s used this weight loss drug with a caption saying it’s solved all her problems.

“It’s not a nice thing to see. She has thick skin and doesn’t take many things to heart, but when someone steals your images and changes what you look like to sell a product you’ve never heard of, it’s quite distressing.”

The warned customers about the fake account and urged them to report it – but were told the posts did not breach TikTok’s guidelines.

Antonia spent five weeks filing reports and even submitted a ‘cease-and-desist’ form in a desperate attempt to remove the material.

They tried placing a watermark behind Nicola when taking new photographs, but the cropped it out.

Antonia fears the scam could have damaged the family business if customers mistakenly believed it was promoting the products.

She said: “We still have no idea who was behind it. It could have damaged the business if customers genuinely thought it was us.

“I think there should be a law that comes in to protect people’s images against AI. These people have got away with what they did. There are no consequences for it.

“TikTok need to take action – because these images did look believable. It feels like are allowing people to scam others.”

It would appear Nicola was not the first victim of the bogus firm, with a number of other influencers sharing similar experiences and warning users about the company’s fake products.

TikTok has now removed the account. A spokesperson said: “We have banned this account for breaching our community guidelines.”

The Sun found no trace of the company on any platform.

The social media company said its rules prohibit users from infringing other people’s copyrights, trademarks and intellectual property rights.

It added that it does not permit content promoting risky or harmful body comparisons, or the sale and promotion of regulated, prohibited or high-risk goods.