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Bogus Heart Medicine Promoted Using Deepfake AI Video Of Renowned Physician

The scam company uses paid adverts on Facebook to circulate its marketing material, according to Abdool Karim. From there, users of the platform share the posters or videos on other social media platforms, including WhatsApp.

Deepfake AI video of renowned Prof Salim Abdool Karim used to promote bogus heart medicine
Daily Maverick • Jul 1, 2025

Deepfake AI video of renowned Prof Salim Abdool Karim used to promote bogus heart medicine

'This company has just pounced on me, and they're not letting me go. They are using me ... because it's good for their sales,' said Abdool Karim.

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Comments

nononomaybeokay 2w

This is pure crap. It is so frustrating that he has to deal with this and that the gullible target audience will be fleeced before the perpetrators are stopped.
I see an "easy solution" as Facebook putting out a platform wide notification of the scam.
That, and requiring verification for ANY posts that have the doctor's name associated with prior to being approved for posting.

3 Reply
Bob's avatar
Bob AmbassadorOP 2w

In the case of user privacy and even child safety, Meta has repeatedly paid historic sums to avoid catastrophic court judgments...and continued business as usual. Unfortunately, money talks, and today's governing bodies happily take the payouts and turn a blind eye.

2 Reply
Decorama's avatar
Decorama 2w

Highly disturbing.

3 Reply
Bob's avatar
Bob AmbassadorOP 2w

Very much so. And to be honest, it's not something to which I've ever given more than a cursory thought.

Being one with 'heart issues' I suppose, because I initially looked for groups on facebook, I'm likely targeted more than most by those facebook ads. I've always thought they were scams of some sort, ones that surely no one would fall for...and I move on.

This article helped me realize there are those that don't move on, and get taken advantage of...not necessarily because they're ignorant or naive, but maybe because they've exhausted all other avenues.

It's easy for much by comparison, living in a country with free and ready access to healthcare and the medications required — at least in my part of the country. But others are not so fortunate. Health issues can bring many other stresses with them, financial a major one.

3 Reply