Deepfake AI scam uses celebrity likenesses to push fake…

Scammers are increasingly utilizing artificial intelligence to create realistic deepfake videos of celebrities and medical professionals to promote a weight loss supplement called LipoMax on Facebook and Instagram. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has received over 150 reports concerning these fraudulent advertisements in recent months.

What happened

The campaign relies on sophisticated AI voice-cloning and video synthesis technology to impersonate trusted figures. In one documented instance, an Illinois resident lost more than $400 after viewing a deepfake video that appeared to show Oprah Winfrey endorsing the LipoMax product.

Don O’Brien, regional director of the Quincy BBB, warns that these deepfakes are becoming harder to detect. He advises consumers to exercise caution and verify any celebrity endorsement by checking the individual's official social media pages or personal website. If a celebrity is not promoting the product on their verified channels, consumers should assume the advertisement is illegitimate.

The BBB has identified several red flags associated with these scams, including claims of miracle weight loss results without diet or exercise, and free trial offers that often lead to recurring, unauthorized monthly charges. Additionally, consumers are urged to be wary of advertisements that create a sense of urgency or redirect users to a "health coach" who requests further payment. The BBB recommends that anyone targeted by these scams should report the incident through the organization's official Scam Tracker.