Urgent Alert: Guy's and St Thomas' Issues Warning Over Fraudulent Weight Loss Videos Using AI Doctors

Urgent Warning Issued Over Deceptive AI-Generated Weight Loss Videos

A prominent South London hospital trust, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, has sounded the alarm regarding a disturbing trend: fraudulent online videos circulating on platforms like Facebook and TikTok. These deceptive clips falsely claim that the Trust's medical staff endorse and use various weight loss products, prompting a critical public health and safety warning.

The Deceptive Nature of AI-Generated Endorsements

The Trust confirms that these videos, which depict doctors seemingly applying weight loss patches and demonstrating rapid weight loss, are almost certainly AI-generated. Crucially, none of the individuals featured are actual clinicians from Guy's and St Thomas'. This manipulative use of artificial intelligence creates a highly convincing, yet entirely fabricated, endorsement designed to mislead the public.

Dr. Daghni Rajasingam, Deputy Chief Medical Officer at the Trust, emphasized the severity of the situation. "These are fraudulent and misleading," she stated, underscoring that NHS clinicians would never promote or endorse commercial products of this nature. The Trust is actively working to have these deceitful videos removed and urges the public to always seek health advice, especially concerning weight loss, from trusted NHS sources.

Unmasking the Scammers: Insights from a Financial Crime Expert

To shed further light on these deceptive practices, Graham Barrows, a financial crime expert and host of The Dark Money Files podcast, weighed in. He unequivocally labels the adverts and the social media accounts sharing them as "baloney." Barrows highlights that the primary driver behind such scams is financial gain.

While consumers might actually receive the "natural herbal product" if ordered, the true deception lies in the misrepresentation. "Everything they're representing themselves to be – doctors, successful previous dieters – is absolute garbage," Barrows warned. He explained that scammers are quick to exploit lucrative opportunities, and the widespread desire for easy weight loss makes such products prime targets.

How to Spot Fraudulent Online Adverts: Red Flags to Watch For

Barrows provided crucial tips for identifying these sophisticated scams, offering valuable guidance for anyone encountering suspicious online content:

These clues are vital in bypassing the emotional appeal these scammers try to cultivate. "The people selling this stuff are trying to bypass your rational response," Barrows explained. "They want you to really want to buy this stuff because you want to lose weight, and it's so easy when that emotion takes you over to stop thinking clearly."

Your Role in Staying Safe and Reporting Fraud

In light of these escalating threats, it's more important than ever for the public to exercise caution. Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust urges anyone who encounters these fraudulentweight loss videos using AI doctors prompts hospital warningto report them immediately to the social media platforms where they are being shared. Furthermore, always conduct "basic checks" on any product or service advertised online before making a purchase.

Protecting yourself and others from these advanced digital scams requires vigilance. Always prioritize health advice from verified, reputable sources like the NHS.