As the popularity of weight-loss drugs continues to boom, it has opened the door for scammers eager to dupe people into buying fake versions of the medications. The Better Business Bureau has issued a scam alert warning consumers about “a troubling trend” of fraudsters using everything from fake AI videos of celebrities to phony pharmacies to sell products that aren’t approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and may not even arrive after you buy them. Social media has been flooded with fake ads and phony websites concerning weight loss methods, which is particularly timely as millions pursue New Year’s resolutions to get fit. The exploding popularity of GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro, plus their high cost, can often make the knockoff versions more enticing to those on a tight budget. Celebrities like Oprah Winfrey and Serena Williams have also spoken about their use of GLP-1 drugs, which scammers have capitalized on by creating fake endorsements. In its alert, the BBB outlined the most common type of scams consumers will encounter when searching for GLP-1 and other weight-loss drugs. Here’s what to watch for. Fake AI ads for weight-loss products The BBB says scammers are using deepfake videos of celebrities and doctors to fraudulently endorse products that either don’t exist or are not approved by the FDA. One example cited by the BBB is a video purporting to show Oprah Winfrey promoting a natural “pink salt” weight-loss drink called Lipomax. The bureau reported receiving more than 170 complaints about the ads, with many saying they were duped into spending more than $300 to buy it after seeing it endorsed by Winfrey. When consumers tried to request a refund, the support email bounced back as non-deliverable, according to the BBB. Winfrey is not involved in any endorsements for Lipomax. “Every week, my lawyers and I are playing whack-a-mole with fake AI videos of me selling everything from gummies to pink salt,” she wrote in 2025. “If you see an ad with my face on a ‘PRODUCT,’ it’s fake.” NBC News has attempted to reach Lipomax for comment. The BBB says Lipomax told them the AI-generated videos are not endorsed or produced by them. Other AI-involved scams include fake doctor presentations outlining the efficacy of certain weight-loss products, and an online presentation about a “pink salt trick,” per the BBB. Fake messages claiming eligibility for weight-loss products Another scam involves receiving a text, email or phone call saying you are “eligible” for GLP-1 prescriptions or weight-loss programs. The messages make it sound urgent to contact them, but it leads to a fraudulent website, according to the BBB. One example reported to the bureau was a text from a “Laura at WellnessCare” saying a doctor had cleared the person for a GLP-1 prescription and they were approved to begin treatment. Another consumer reported receiving a call saying they owed $800 for a subscription to a weight-loss medication and would face a collection agency if they didn’t pay. Celebrity News Dec 30, 2025 Oprah reveals use of GLP-1 medications led to sobriety Health Wellness Aug 21, 2025 Serena Williams says GLP-1 medication helped her lose 31 pounds How to stay safe against GLP-1 and weight-loss scams NBC News correspondent Liz Kreutz had helpful tips from experts about how to avoid being duped when searching for GLP-1 drugs and other weight-loss products. Pay attention to how the drug is administered. The FDA-approved versions of popular drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro are injections, and in the case of Wegovy, there is also a pill. So if a weight-loss drug is being sold as an oral liquid or a patch, that’s a big red flag. Verify that an online pharmacy is legitimate. You can use the website Safe Pharmacy to check. Check the safety of ingredients on the FDA website. Consult with your doctor before taking anything. This story first appeared on TODAY.com. More from TODAY: Swiftie Loses 100 Pounds After Hitting ‘Rock Bottom’ at Taylor Swift Concert ‘Bridgerton’ Showrunner Reveals Leads of Seasons 5 and 6 In Her Next Chapter, Sheinelle Jones Steps Into the Spotlight: ‘I’m Rooting for Me’ ...read more read less