Scam of the Month – This July, AI Deepfakes Drive Supplement Scams on Social Media

Alexandru_BD

What do Brad Pitt, Denzel Washington and George Clooney have in common?  It’s not that they’re all part of the same movie cast—they’re inadvertently playing the role of their life in supplement scams. These celebrities, along with many other famous figures, are being used without their consent in AI-driven deepfake supplement scams that flood social media with false promises of miracle cures. 

The security researchers have labeled this to be the 'Scam of the month', in a campaign that aims to expose and rank the most widespread and insidious scams today. Supplement scams have been going on for a while now via spam or aggressive ads, but they become more and more prevalent on social media channels all over the world thanks to generative AI. This technology has given scammers new tools to craft highly convincing ads, using deepfake videos and AI-generated images to lend credibility to their fake products. These scams often promise miracle cures for chronic conditions, exploiting the trust people have in celebrities and medical professionals.

At the moment, millions of people can be reached via social ads at trivial costs, which is extremely alarming and needs urgent moderation. Our latest research identified thousands of pages promoting medical supplement scams and tens of thousands of social media advertisements created by the actors behind the campaign. 

Recognizing Supplement Scams 

1. Too Good to Be True: If an ad promises a cure for multiple diseases or instant results, it's likely a scam. 
2. Celebrity Endorsements: Be wary of ads that use well-known figures to endorse products, especially if the endorsements seem out of character or context. 
3. High-Pressure Tactics: Scammers use phrases like "limited stock" or "act now" to rush you into making a purchase without due diligence. 
4. Fake Reviews: Ads often include glowing reviews from "satisfied customers" that are fabricated to build trust. 
5. Suspicious URLs and Pages: Check the legitimacy of the website. Scammers often use new domains or obscure them altogether. 

How to Stay Protected 

1. Verify Claims: Research the product and company. Look for verified reviews and check if the claims are supported by scientific evidence. 
2. Consult Healthcare Providers: Always consult with a certified physician before trying new supplements. 
3. Use Security Tools: Employ security solutions with anti-phishing and anti-fraud features to filter out harmful ads and websites. Use Scamio whenever you need facts to be double-checked for you.
4. Avoid Giving Personal Information: Be cautious about sharing personal details online, especially on unverified platforms. 
5. Report Suspicious Ads: Help others by reporting fake ads to the social media platform and relevant authorities. 

The use of AI in all sorts of scams has made it increasingly difficult to distinguish between genuine and fraudulent advertisements. By staying informed and cautious, you can protect yourself from these sophisticated scams and ensure that your health and finances remain secure. 

For more information on this topic, visit the full article on the Bitdefender Labs blog. 

Have any of you encountered deepfakes online? I’d love to hear your experiences and any tips you have for identifying them. It’s becoming increasingly important to stay informed about these deceptive videos, so let's share our knowledge and strategies to help each other out.

Join the conversation and let’s make our community more aware and prepared!