At a Glance
- The Better Business Bureau warns of a surge in fake GLP-1 drug scams using AI-generated celebrity endorsements
- Consumers report losing over $300 to phony “pink salt” products after seeing deepfake Oprah videos
- Fraudsters impersonate doctors and pharmacies to sell unapproved oral liquids, patches, or nothing at all
- Why it matters: Fake medications can delay real treatment, drain bank accounts, and expose buyers to identity theft
Demand for GLP-1 injections like Ozempic and Mounjaro has created a lucrative black market. Olivia M. Hartwell reported that scammers now deploy AI deepfakes of Oprah Winfrey, Serena Williams, and fictional doctors to pitch counterfeit or non-existent weight-loss remedies.
AI Deepfakes Drive Surge in Fake Drug Ads
The BBB has tracked more than 170 complaints about a single scheme: a deepfake video that appears to show Winfrey promoting a “pink salt” drink called Lipomax.
- Victims paid $300 or more after watching the fabricated endorsement
- Refund e-mails bounced back as undeliverable
- Winfrey stated in 2025: “Every week, my lawyers and I are playing whack-a-mole with fake AI videos of me selling everything from gummies to pink salt. If you see an ad with my face on a ‘PRODUCT,’ it’s fake.”
{Lipomax told the BBB it does not create or authorize the AI clips. News Of Losangeles has sought additional comment without immediate response.
Additional schemes include:
- Fabricated physician seminars touting unapproved pills
- Online “pink salt trick” presentations that harvest credit-card data
- Deepfake testimonials mimicking other A-list celebrities
Eligibility Texts and Phantom Bills
Beyond social media ads, con artists send texts, e-mails, or calls claiming consumers are “eligible” for GLP-1 prescriptions.
Examples logged with the BBB:
- A message from “Laura at WellnessCare” announcing doctor approval for treatment
- A demand call insisting a buyer owes $800 for a weight-loss subscription and faces collections if unpaid
- Links that route victims to look-alike pharmacy sites designed to steal personal information
Red Flags: Pills, Patches, and Oral Liquids
FDA-approved GLP-1 brands arrive as:
- Pre-filled injections (Ozempic, Mounjaro)
- Daily pills (Wegovy only)
Products sold as:
- Oral liquids
- Transdermal patches
- “Dissolving” films
are not legitimate formulations, Olivia M. Hartwell noted.
How to Verify Before You Buy
{Liz Kreutz} of News Of Losangeles compiled expert advice:
- Confirm the drug form matches FDA listings
- Check pharmacy legitimacy through Safe.Pharmacy
- Review ingredient safety on the FDA website
- Speak with a personal physician before ordering
## Celebrity Spotlight Attracts Fraud
Serena Williams, a paid spokesperson for telehealth company Ro, told Access Hollywood she began a Ro-affiliated GLP-1 after struggling to reach her goal weight following the birth of her second daughter. Scammers quickly repurposed interview clips to imply she backs their own products.
Key Takeaways
- Deepfake technology makes it cheap to fake star endorsements
- High drug prices push budget-conscious shoppers toward risky sites
- Any unsolicited “eligibility” message should be treated as suspicious
- Purchasing only through verified pharmacies and after medical consultation remains the safest route
