Weight-Loss Scams Are Everywhere, and AI Is Making Them Harder to Spot

By Greg Collier

GLP-1 weight-loss medications like Ozempic and Wegovy have exploded in popularity, and right on schedule, scammers have followed.

According to reports, scam complaints surged in late 2025 as fake weight-loss promises flooded social media feeds. The hook is simple: “Just as effective as GLP-1s—no prescription needed.” That claim alone should immediately set off alarms.

What’s Going On

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) says it has seen a sharp spike in reports involving supplements falsely claiming to work like prescription GLP-1 medications.

Even more concerning: many of these ads are AI-generated, complete with deepfake celebrity endorsements designed to manufacture trust.

The Celebrity Deepfake Problem

One of the most common tactics involves fake videos of well-known public figures promoting “natural” weight-loss products.

The BBB highlighted a widely shared deepfake impersonating Oprah Winfrey, falsely promoting a supplement. Winfrey addressed this directly in an August letter published by Oprah Daily:

“Every week, my lawyers and I are playing whack-a-mole with fake AI videos of me selling everything from gummies to pink salt.

Let me say this clearly: If you see an ad with my face on a ‘product,’ it’s fake.”

This is no longer just misleading marketing; it’s identity theft powered by generative AI.

Why These Scams Work So Well

Scammers are exploiting three things at once:

  1. High demand for GLP-1 medications
  2. Limited access and high cost, which make “shortcuts” tempting
  3. Public familiarity with drug names like Ozempic and Wegovy

When people already know these drugs are real and effective, it becomes easier to sell a fake alternative that sounds legitimate.

The Biggest Red Flag

The BBB says there is one warning sign above all others:

Any GLP-1-style treatment offered without a prescription.

GLP-1 medications are prescription drugs. There is no legal, safe, or legitimate way to obtain them, or their effects, through an over-the-counter supplement.

Other Red Flags

  • Claims of rapid or effortless weight loss
  • “Natural” supplements claiming prescription-level results
  • Celebrity endorsements you didn’t see reported anywhere else
  • Pressure to act quickly or “limited supply” countdowns
  • Requests for health or insurance information upfront

What About Telehealth?

Legitimate telehealth providers do exist, and some can legally prescribe GLP-1 medications after a proper medical evaluation. But the BBB stresses that consumers should:

  • Research companies carefully
  • Verify licensing and credentials
  • Consult their own doctor first

What to Do If You See One of These Ads

If you encounter a suspected scam:

Final Thoughts

GLP-1 medications are real. The weight-loss benefits are real. But “GLP-1-equivalent supplements” are not.

AI-generated ads and deepfake celebrity videos are turning ordinary social media feeds into scam delivery systems, and health-related scams carry real physical risks, not just financial ones.

If it promises prescription-level results without a prescription, it isn’t a breakthrough.

It’s a scam.

Further Reading

Discover more from Greg's Corner

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.