AI deepfakes used to impersonate doctor and promote illegal medicines in Brazil
Suspects used AI tools to clone the voice and image of Brazilian physician Drauzio Varella on social media to fraudulently promote unregistered medicines and unproven treatments. Law enforcement in Santa Catarina conducted search warrants on 22 April 2026 as part of Operation Double Check investigation into the scheme.
What happened
On 22 April 2026, agents of Gaeco (Grupo de Atuação Especial de Combate às Organizações Criminosas) in Santa Catarina carried out search and seizure warrants in Itapema in support of Operation Double Check, conducted by CyberGAECO of the São Paulo Public Prosecutor's Office.
According to the investigation, suspects used advanced artificial intelligence tools to manipulate videos and audio, simulating the voice and appearance of physician Drauzio Varella to promote treatments and medicines without scientific proof on social media.
The products promoted did not have registration with Anvisa (Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária).
Reported impact
According to the São Paulo Public Prosecutor's Office, the sophisticated falsification methods created a false impression that the victim was the author of the content displayed in the videos, potentially causing damage to his reputation and placing public health at risk.
Classification
Sources and evidence
Sources not yet published
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