Written by Rachel Helyer Donaldson, RNZ
Individuals diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes are being urged to exercise caution when purchasing medication online, following the discovery of fake advertisements featuring New Zealand doctors promoting treatments for the disease.
The New Zealand Society for the Study of Diabetes revealed that deepfake videos, generated using artificial intelligence, were circulating online. These videos utilized real footage to create the illusion of authentic doctors endorsing the treatments, when in reality, they were not involved.
President Dr. Jo McClintock disclosed that several doctors had their images and names misused in these scams, with at least three cases reported in recent months. Concerningly, some patients had fallen victim to the fraudulent schemes by purchasing the misrepresented supplements.
“It’s important to be vigilant as there may be more doctors targeted. It’s crucial for individuals living with diabetes to report any suspicious social media posts to our attention,” Dr. McClintock emphasized.
She advised individuals to consult their general practitioners or healthcare providers if they encountered advertisements promoting medications that seemed too good to be true.
Dr. McClintock highlighted the deceptive nature of the ads, noting that they often made false claims about groundbreaking treatments that could supposedly cure diabetes without the need for conventional medications.
Of particular concern was the dissemination of misinformation, as individuals may be misled into using unapproved and potentially harmful treatments, leading them to discontinue their prescribed medications.
Dr. McClintock stressed the importance of reporting any purchases made in response to these ads to the authorities.
Ensuring Safety in Medical Advice on Social Media
• Avoid altering or discontinuing your medication based on social media advice, even if it appears to originate from a New Zealand doctor featured in a photo or video.
• Deepfake videos often make exaggerated claims about revolutionary treatments that guarantee universal efficacy. It is imperative to consult your doctor or healthcare provider before purchasing any diabetes or weight loss treatments online.
• Type 2 diabetes management should be personalized to suit individual needs, considering other health conditions and current medications.
• Seek reliable information from reputable sources such as Healthify or Diabetes New Zealand.
• If uncertain about an online advertisement, verify with trusted sources mentioned above. Before making any changes to your medication regimen, consult your doctor or diabetes nurse.
• To report purchases made in response to these misleading ads, contact NZ Police at 105 or visit the police website’s fraud and cybercrime page.
