Celebrity deep fake scam costs woman hundreds

JACKSON, Tenn. — The Better Business Bureau is alerting us to another scam — this one has been very infamous in our area recently.

There have been over 300 reports in the last two weeks of a particular weight loss drug scam. This scam is using artificial intelligence to make it look like celebrities are endorsing these products.

“Scammers are increasingly using deep-fake videos and AI-generated images of celebrities, doctors, and other trusted figures to promote their weight loss products,” said Toddnetta Trice, with the BBB of the Mid-South. “So these ads do look convincing because, of course, it is your favorite celebrity letting you know that this diet supplement worked for them.”

A Mid-South area woman was recently scammed out of $300 after seeing a video about weight loss treatment that she believed was being promoted by Oprah. Trice gives us an important tip to use before we make any purchase.

“You definitely want to talk with your doctor. Make sure you are letting them know like, ‘hey is this alright for me to do?’ So definitely go with your doctor and let them know, ‘hey, am I able to take this? Do you have any reviews about this?'” Trice said.

Trice also gives us another great tip to use before we buy any product. This tip is useful for more than just weight loss drugs.

“You can research through BBB Scam Tracker. That Scam Tracker system, you can put names in there. Unfortunately our victim did not pout the name in Scam Tracker or she would have seen that there was over 300 reports in the last two months, and that definitely would have saved her from making that purchase.”

It is also important to not buy supplements from out of the country. It is tough to know exactly what ingredients are being used and if they are safe.

If you come across one of these scams, you are heavily encouraged to report it to the Better Business Bureau.

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