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In recent years, social networks have become a “black market” for countless drugs and dietary supplements of unknown origin. With just a few clicks, you can encounter hundreds of posts promising “cure 100%”, “effective after 7 days”, “"doctor recommended"”, along with a series of carefully produced review videos, feedback, and "scientific evidence".

But behind that flashy appearance, many products are fake, counterfeit, even mixed with banned substances that are extremely dangerous to health.

Article table of contents hide

1. Social networks – fertile ground for fake drugs and poor quality dietary supplements

2. Psychological manipulation scam

3. Unforeseeable consequences: Loss of money and health

4. Fraud models are becoming more and more sophisticated.

5. Anti-Fraud Advice: Be a Smart Consumer

Social networks – fertile ground for fake drugs and poor quality dietary supplements

Thanks to content distribution algorithms, ads can flood users“ newsfeeds in just a few hours. People who are concerned about their health or want to lose weight quickly are often prime targets for ”pain-pointing” ads.

Commonly used objects:

Hype: The product is described as a "miracle drug", "miracle drug" capable of completely curing incurable diseases (cancer, diabetes, chronic bone and joint diseases), and beautifying quickly (rapid weight loss, super fast skin whitening) in a short time.
Fake Images & Videos: Using images of doctors and medical experts (which may be fake or used illegally), staged videos of patients “miraculously recovering”, and “fake” comments and feedback to create credibility.
Attractive guarantee policy: The product promises immediate results, a money back/compensation policy if not as advertised, or many other attractive guarantees, but none exist.

The danger is that many people believe it because the content is posted by KOLs, celebrities or accounts claiming to have "used it and been cured".

Psychological manipulation scam

Fraudsters use many tricks to exploit the psychology of sick and gullible people:

Create psychological pressure: Use urgency language, “limited quantities,” “today only” to pressure buyers into making a quick decision without doing their research.
Hit the fear: Exploiting concerns about illness, beauty, and aging to promote products as the "only" and "salvation" solution.
Virtual consulting: The team of consultants (without medical expertise) are enthusiastic but often only focus on closing deals, not caring about the real health status of customers.
“"Exposing" forgery: Some people create their own “expose” accounts to badmouth competitors’ products, then promote their own products as an alternative.

Unforeseeable consequences: Loss of money and health

Believing in “miracle drug” advertisements on social media is not only a waste of money, but the consequences do not always come immediately. Many fake drugs or poor quality dietary supplements only cause harm slowly, and by the time they are discovered, your health has been severely damaged.

The most common risks of using drugs/nutritional supplements of unknown origin:

Harmful to health: Products of unknown origin, poor quality or containing prohibited substances can cause allergies, poisoning, liver failure, kidney failure, or make the condition worse.
Delaying medical treatment: Many patients skip or delay formal medical examination and treatment to use "miracle drugs" online, missing the golden time for treatment.
Disappointing, depressing: When realizing they have been scammed, the victim not only loses money but also loses trust and falls into a state of confusion and anxiety.

Medical reports show that many cases had to be hospitalized just because of believing in a box of "natural 100%" medicine sold on Facebook.

Fraud models are becoming more and more sophisticated.

Fraudsters do not stop at selling low-quality products. Many also collect personal information through:

Health survey form,
Free consultation messages,
Request to send pictures of the medical condition,
Get a phone number for “customer care”.

Once they collect data, they can:

Resale to third parties,
Used for further fraud (for example, impersonating a doctor or pharmacist calling for advice),
Lured into expensive treatment packages or more dangerous products.

Anti-Fraud Advice: Be a Smart Consumer

To protect your health and finances, always follow these principles:

Be skeptical of all “holy” advertising claims: There is no medicine or dietary supplement that can cure all diseases or bring "miraculous" results in a short time.
Absolutely do not buy medicine/nutritional supplements on social networks without permission: Even if someone you know/a celebrity recommends it, especially for products that claim to cure or have strong effects.
Consult your Doctor/Pharmacist: When having health problems, go to reputable medical facilities for proper examination, consultation and treatment.
Check origin, license:
Request to see full information about the manufacturer, clear address, product declaration number, and circulation license of the Ministry of Health.
Check barcode, anti-counterfeit stamp (if any).
Look up product information on the website of the Ministry of Health or the Department of Food Safety.
Beware of staged images/videos: Don't be fooled by fake testimonials from unknown “actors” or “experts”.
Reporting misconduct: When detecting signs of fraud in drug/dietary supplement advertising and sales, please report to the authorities (Ministry of Health, Department of Food Safety, Ministry of Public Security) for timely handling.