Health authorities issue urgent warning against botox injector Norsafiza Binti Zakaria

An unlicensed botox injector under investigation after several people contracted a deadly, paralysing illness in Sydney also works in Victoria, health authorities have warned.

An unlicensed botox injector under investigation after several people contracted a deadly, paralysing illness in Sydney also works in Victoria, authorities allege.

Health officials believe Norsafiza Binti Zakaria, accused of giving illegal cosmetic treatments that have harmed patients in both states, is now back in Victoria and have issued an urgent warning.

It comes after three people she allegedly injected with an “anti-wrinkle treatment” – sold to them as botox – were hospitalised with suspected botulism earlier this month in NSW.

Botulism is a rare, life-threatening disease – one of the NSW patients was admitted to intensive care – and authorities say any Victorians who have received cosmetic treatments from Ms Zakaria should seek “urgent” medical care.

The Herald Sun understands a suspected case of botulism – allegedly linked to an unregistered botox cosmetic injection from Ms Zakaria – was reported to the Victorian health department in September 2024, but considered an isolated incident.

Norsafiza (Natasha) Binti Zakaria has been accused of giving illegal cosmetic treatments.

NSW’s Health Care Complaints Commission claimed they had “obtained evidence that Ms Zakaria advertises cosmetic injections via WhatsApp and other social media platforms” in a public warning on Friday.

They also claimed that she “performs these procedures” – illegally administering botox and other injectable medical substances – “in residential premises in NSW and Victoria without the involvement of a registered health practitioner”.

Victoria’s Health Complaints Commissioner, who also issued a public warning naming Ms Zakaria on Friday, said that she goes by multiple aliases including Natasha Scha, Natasha Zakaria, Scha Zakaria, Natasha Ismail and Zakaria Scha, and was not a registered health practitioner.

Health Complaints Commissioner Bernice Redley said she believed they had to publish a warning, naming Ms Zakaria, “to avoid an imminent and serious risk to the life, health, safety or welfare of the public”.

“I am concerned about the alleged activities of Ms Zakaria and their potential to cause harm to patients in Victoria,” he said.

“I urge any members of the public who may have concerns relating to this matter, or any other health service, to contact the Health Complaints Commissioner by calling 1300 582 113 or by completing an online complaint via our website.”

Ms Zakaria allegedly advertises cosmetic injections via WhatsApp and other social media platforms. Stock image.

The NSW regulator has also issued an interim prohibition order, which applies to Victoria as well, that bans Ms Zakaria from offering any type of healthcare services pending further investigations.

The three patients in NSW were reportedly injected with an anti-wrinkle treatment at a residential address on January 11.

NSW authorities, who issued a warning about the botulism outbreak last week but did not initially name Ms Zakaria, said symptoms of botulism could appear for up to two weeks following injections.

Symptoms include progressive weakness, difficulty swallowing, drooping eyelids, blurred or double vision and difficulty breathing and anyone who experiences these symptoms should call triple-0, or immediately visit their nearest emergency department.

NSW Health Executive Director Health Protection Dr Jeremy McAnulty said at the time the case was a reminder of the danger of unregulated cosmetic injections and the importance of receiving treatment from authorised practitioners.

“Cosmetic injections, if used incorrectly, could result in serious harm and even death in the most serious of cases,” Dr McAnulty said.

“Botulism, although rare, can be fatal, which is why it is so important that anyone receiving cosmetic injections does so under the supervision of an appropriately registered health practitioner.”