AI-Generated Fake Doctor Used in Misleading Anti-Aging Product Ads
A South Korean food distributor used generative AI to create advertisements featuring a synthetic doctor falsely claiming that vitamin C and yeast products could reduce body age and reverse aging. The distributor sold approximately 650,000 units generating 8.1 billion won in revenue before regulators identified the deception and referred the case to prosecutors.
What happened
A South Korean distributor used generative AI to create advertisements featuring a synthetic middle-aged doctor recommending food products.
The fake doctor in AI-generated videos claimed products made from vitamin C and yeast could reduce body age and reverse aging by eliminating aging cells and restoring cell function.
The advertisements were posted on YouTube and social media platforms from September 2025 to May 2026, generating approximately 650,000 product sales worth 8.1 billion won.
Reported impact
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety identified the distributor through monitoring and administrative investigation and referred it to prosecutors on June 10, 2026, for violating the Food Labeling and Advertisement Act.
Index analysis
South Korean law prohibits doctors, pharmacists, and university professors from endorsing or recommending food in advertisements.
The ministry subsequently amended related laws to prohibit advertisements featuring virtual experts recommending food, cosmetics, or pharmaceuticals due to the increasing use of generative AI in such promotions.
Governance controls
The ministry requested platform operators to block and remove the advertisements in November 2025 during the administrative investigation process.
The distributor continued selling products after the takedown request, prompting the prosecutor referral.
Classification
Sources and evidence
Sources not yet published
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