Deepfake Oprah Endorsement Used to Sell Misrepresented Weight Loss Supplements
A deepfake video falsely depicting Oprah Winfrey endorsing weight loss supplements circulated online, prompting a Utah woman to purchase Prozenith supplements for over $400. The product delivered contained turmeric rather than the advertised ingredients, and the Better Business Bureau reports numerous similar complaints about the same company.
What happened
A deepfake video purporting to show Oprah Winfrey endorsing weight loss supplements was circulated online on platforms including TikTok and Reels.
Lisa Swearingen of Utah purchased several bottles of Prozenith supplements after seeing the fake endorsement, paying over $400 for the shipment.
When the supplements arrived, Swearingen discovered the primary ingredient was turmeric, a common spice, rather than the four ingredients advertised: Himalayan pink salt, quercetin, mountain root, and burnt berberine.
Reported impact
Swearingen reported feeling defrauded and expressed concern that other consumers might be similarly deceived.
The Better Business Bureau's Scam Tracker has logged numerous complaints about the same company, with many customers finding turmeric instead of advertised ingredients.
Index analysis
The deepfake video appeared convincing enough to persuade a consumer to purchase a product based on the fake celebrity endorsement.
The real Oprah Winfrey issued a public warning that her name and likeness were being used without consent to promote weight loss products.
Governance controls
Under federal law, consumers who order a product by credit card and receive something different from what was advertised can dispute the charges, though proving the misrepresentation can be difficult.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.