Scammers used AI-generated deepfake influencers and fabricated personal stories on TikTok to deceptively sell wellness products, creating fake testimonials and targeting vulnerable users with false health claims.
A network of scam accounts on TikTok used AI-generated deepfake technology to create fake influencers selling wellness products. The accounts, with names containing wellness buzzwords like 'Holistic Health Finds' and 'Wellness Welfare', featured deepfake influencers making false claims about their identities - claiming to be the wife of Korea's highest paid plastic surgeon, a former Victoria's Secret model, or a doctor. Reverse image searches revealed the same AI-generated images were used across multiple accounts and creators. The scammers used these fake personas to sell products like batana oil with unsubstantiated health claims about hair growth. They also created fabricated personal stories targeting women with fertility issues, using fake testimonials about PCOS treatments and supplements. The accounts employed popular TikTok 'storytime' formats with slideshows containing mostly AI-generated images of people, except for some stock photos of celebrities. This represents an evolution from earlier wellness scams that used stock photos of doctors or edited real users' videos. All the identified accounts were removed from TikTok after the investigation was published on March 10, 2025.
Domain classification, causal taxonomy, severity scores, and national security assessments were LLM-classified and may contain errors.
Using AI systems to gain a personal advantage over others such as through cheating, fraud, scams, blackmail or targeted manipulation of beliefs or behavior. Examples include AI-facilitated plagiarism for research or education, impersonating a trusted or fake individual for illegitimate financial benefit, or creating humiliating or sexual imagery.
Human
Due to a decision or action made by humans
Intentional
Due to an expected outcome from pursuing a goal
Post-deployment
Occurring after the AI model has been trained and deployed
No population impact data reported.