Dr Amir Khan, an NHS GP and ITV resident doctor, has issued a stark warning to his followers: "Do not buy this product." The warning comes after a fake AI-generated video of him appeared online, seemingly advertising a weight loss medication called 'Osanix'.
Fake AI video prompts urgent warning
Dr Khan took to Instagram to alert his followers to the deepfake video, which he said was made using an old video of him. He wrote in the caption: "Team, I’m so sorry but a company is using a deepfake AI video of mine and making it look like I’m advertising their nonsense product, Osanix - DO NOT BUY IT. I don’t know what it in, it could be riddled with dude effects it probably won’t work - don’t waste your hard earned cash on it."
He added: "I’m sorry if you’ve already bought it thinking I was supporting it, I’m not, please spread the message or reshare this video. Thank you for your time I know this is super annoying."
In the video, Dr Khan said he had received messages from "so many people" asking whether they should use the product for weight loss, including family members who believed he was endorsing it.
Dr Khan's message to the public
"It's not me, it's fake AI. They're using some old video of mine and rehashing it into a fake," he said. "They've used other celebrities as well, like Peter Kay and Jeremy Clarkson."
He stressed: "It's not real, do not buy it. I don't know what's in it, it could be riddled with side effects. I wouldn't buy it. I wouldn't spend a penny on it, I wouldn't put it in my body." He also noted that if a company "has to use fake AI nonsense and use someone who people trust to sell their stuff, that company and product cannot be trusted."
He concluded: "Do not buy this product under any circumstances. I hate wasting my time on this, but unfortunately, it's going to become more and more common, and I will try and call out each fake product as it comes along."
Public reaction
Many people shared their thoughts in the comment section. One viewer said: "Thank you for sharing this Dr Amir." Another said: "I was surprised when I saw the video… didn’t think for a min it was you."
Claire Hattrick, known online as The Executive Menopause Coach, said: "I hear you Amir! I’ve got 2 companies using my content at the moment and refusing point blank to acknowledge any of my emails!"
Risks of fake AI-generated ads
Artificial intelligence-generated fake ads pose dangers, including financial fraud, identity and voice theft via deepfakes, misleading medical or social information, malware downloads from malicious links, and significant harm to the reputations of genuine brands and public figures they support.
Fake AI-generated ads that push weight loss drugs are often unapproved supplements and fake GLP-1 medications. Scammers often use artificial intelligence to imitate voices, impersonate healthcare professionals, and produce deepfakes of celebrities or real doctors to deceive people into purchasing dangerous products.
How to be safe if you're considering weight loss drugs
To safely use weight loss medications, it's important to get them from a qualified healthcare provider and have a thorough clinical evaluation instead of purchasing them from unregulated online sites. Well-known drugs such as semaglutide (Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro) are prescription-only options that need careful medical oversight to handle side effects and confirm they are appropriate for your health.
Weight loss medications aren't safe for everyone. It's best to steer clear of them or consult a specialist if you have:
- A personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma
- Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2
- If you are currently pregnant or breastfeeding
- Severe kidney or liver issues
- A past of pancreatitis or severe gastroparesis
