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getagrip_already

(17,802 posts) Fri Dec 19, 2025, 09:59 AM Dec 19

Scams, Scams, everywhere are Scams.....

I don't know if anyone else is noticing this, but sites like youtube are infested with ads for snake oil treatments or scams. Sure, there are a few shamwow type product hawkings, but probably 80% of what I see are out and out medical mal[practice or deceptive sales tactics.

Examples are "the jello / salt weight loss trick", witch doctor approved homeopathic erectile dysfunction treatments, treatments for diabetes, and some older man or woman saying they are going out business and are liquidating their remaining inventory - which turn out to be stock actors pitching items easily found on alibaba.

This is outright fraud.

I know why it has gotten worse, no agency is policing it any longer, but it is infuriating.

But do we really need to put up with false medical claims and easily proven fraud?

5 replies

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Scams, Scams, everywhere are Scams..... (Original Post) getagrip_already Dec 19 OP

Definitely let the buyer beware. bucolic_frolic Dec 19 #1

Platforms make money off scam advertising. And scams are made easier by AI. highplainsdem Dec 19 #2

Digital tools and sites are all subject to misuse anciano Dec 19 #3

Ads Maninacan Dec 19 #4

It's everywhere. usonian Dec 20 #5

bucolic_frolic

(54,022 posts)

1. Definitely let the buyer beware.

Reply to getagrip_already (Original post)

Fri Dec 19, 2025, 10:05 AM

Dec 19

It's a shame because there are legit doctors on there too. TBH I think the best of the internet is over. I can't keep up with all the new software, installs. Phones and computers are getting loaded to handle it all.

highplainsdem

(59,985 posts)

2. Platforms make money off scam advertising. And scams are made easier by AI.

Reply to getagrip_already (Original post)

Fri Dec 19, 2025, 11:13 AM

Dec 19

AI-generated books, often with dangerous advice, started flooding platforms like Kindle a few years ago, soon after ChatGPT was released.

AI-generated music floods music platforms, often with fake artist bios claiming a nonexistent band or soloist created it. And sometimes this garbage is uploaded using the names of real artists who are deceased, and the scam isn't caught for a while.

I posted a story in LBN just the other day about one of the largest venture capital firms having funded a new AI company doing fraudulent advertising on TikTok with fake, AI-generated influencers not identified as AI:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143583967

And there are very popular AI-generated YouTube channels offering potentially dangerous medical advice.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100220865373

Caveat emptor - buyer beware, as bucolic_frolic said.

There's always been _some_ scam advertising and fraud. It's just much, much worse now, thanks to AI.

anciano

(2,193 posts)

3. Digital tools and sites are all subject to misuse

Reply to getagrip_already (Original post)

Fri Dec 19, 2025, 11:33 AM

Dec 19

and the dissemination of incorrect information. It is the responsibility of the user to fact check and use common sense.

Maninacan

(215 posts)

4. Ads

Reply to getagrip_already (Original post)

Fri Dec 19, 2025, 11:53 AM

Dec 19

i am bombarded by ads everywhere. If sports figure pitch it i don't know who they are because i have no interest in sports or celebrities. I buy only what i need and don't often change brands. Do not ever recall buying anything because of an ad. Usually word of mouth. I really hate the local news channel with the weather team , the news team and the sports team. Snippets of upcoming news is seen 3 times before they get to it a spend 5 seconds on an item.

usonian

(23,521 posts)

5. It's everywhere.

Reply to getagrip_already (Original post)

Sat Dec 20, 2025, 08:30 AM

Dec 20

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