Singapore General Hospital (SGH) and NHG Health issued warnings Tuesday regarding fraudulent advertisements promoting unverified health products [1].
The warnings come as scammers use the likeness of medical professionals to deceive the public into purchasing potentially dangerous or ineffective treatments. By misappropriating the trust associated with established healthcare institutions, these ads create a false sense of medical legitimacy.
According to the institutions, the fraudulent content often features individuals wearing uniforms associated with SGH and NHG Health to mislead viewers [1]. These advertisements appear to endorse health products that have not been verified by the medical facilities.
NHG Health said, "The individual in the videos are not employees of either institution" [1].
Both organizations urged the public to remain vigilant and verify the authenticity of medical advice, and product endorsements, before making purchases. The institutions emphasized that they do not promote unverified health products through such social media advertisements [1].
Authorities in Singapore are monitoring the spread of these videos. The hospitals said that the misuse of their branding and uniforms is a deliberate attempt to exploit patient trust for financial gain [1].
Patients and the general public are encouraged to contact the hospitals directly or visit official government health portals to confirm the validity of any medical claims attributed to SGH or NHG Health [1].
“The individual in the videos are not employees of either institution.”
This incident highlights a growing trend of 'medical impersonation' in digital advertising, where scammers leverage the high trust levels of public health institutions to bypass consumer skepticism. By using uniforms and official logos, these actors target vulnerable populations seeking health solutions, increasing the risk of public health complications from unverified treatments.
