University hospital warns against deepfake videos to…

UZ Leuven has officially disassociated itself from a series of fraudulent videos featuring its doctors endorsing medical products, emphasizing that these clips are entirely unauthorized. The hospital has urged the public to refrain from sharing or engaging with these videos to prevent their further circulation.

What happened

In March 2024, UZ Leuven filed a formal complaint after identifying deepfake content featuring intensivist Geert Meyfroidt. In the deceptive footage, the doctor appeared to be endorsing a homeopathic slimming product. A second video featuring virologist Marc Van Ranst was also identified, indicating a broader trend of medical professionals being impersonated for commercial fraud.

The hospital has confirmed that these videos are not produced by its medical staff and are part of a growing wave of digital impersonation incidents in Belgium. This case marks at least the third such instance within a six-month period. The medical association BVAS previously warned about the rising prevalence of medical deepfakes in April. To combat the spread, UZ Leuven has provided a dedicated email address for the public to report these fraudulent messages.