Canadian doctors targeted by AI deepfake medical scams

Canadian medical professionals are increasingly being targeted by scammers using artificial intelligence to create deepfake videos. These fraudulent advertisements use the likeness and voices of prominent doctors to promote unverified and potentially dangerous medical products.

Dr. Bonnie Henry, British Columbia’s Provincial Health Officer, reported that her image was used in social media advertisements for products such as prostate treatments. Similarly, Dr. François Marquis, an intensive care unit chief at Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital in Montreal, discovered AI-generated versions of himself endorsing various supplements and joint treatments.

Medical experts warn that these scams not only result in financial loss for consumers but also pose significant risks to public health by promoting unproven remedies.