Roberto Carlos Denounces AI-Generated Scams Promoting Fake Diabetes Treatments
Videos circulating on social media falsely attribute diabetes treatment recommendations to Brazilian singer Roberto Carlos. These manipulated videos use artificial intelligence to mimic his image and voice, falsely claiming he overcame diabetes with a 'Swiss metabolic protocol' or a natural treatment to eliminate pancreatic fat. The AI-generated audio falsely states he suffered from the disease for years and criticizes conventional treatments and the pharmaceutical industry. The videos conclude with a call to action to click links and purchase the advertised products.
Roberto Carlos himself issued a warning on July 20th, stating the videos are fake, unauthorized, and that he has no connection to the promoted treatments or supposed doctors. He emphasized that authentic information would only come from his official channels and urged people not to share the deceptive material, warning of potential harm from false health information. The images used in the fake videos were taken out of context from an unrelated 2018 interview about his songwriting and a 2025 piece about a show.
Fernando Valente, coordinator at the Brazilian Society of Diabetes, confirmed there is no recognized 'Swiss metabolic protocol' and that claims of 'cleaning the pancreas' oversimplify diabetes. He warned that such misinformation could lead patients to abandon scientifically proven treatments like metformin and insulin. Valente explained that Type 2 diabetes is complex, involving multiple mechanisms beyond pancreatic fat accumulation, and that while weight management improves pancreatic function, it's not a simple fix. He stressed that abandoning established treatments poses serious risks, as diabetes is a progressive, silent disease with severe complications. Valente also refuted claims that patients should stop monitoring glucose or taking medication due to pharmaceutical profits, highlighting decades of clinical studies proving the safety and efficacy of essential diabetes medications.
This incident highlights the escalating threat of AI-generated deepfakes used for fraudulent health product marketing. The manipulation of a beloved celebrity's image and voice exploits public trust and emotional connection, bypassing rational assessment of medical claims. The perpetrators leverage common disinformation tactics, including the promise of quick cures, celebrity endorsement, and attacks on established medical institutions, to create a sense of urgency and legitimacy. This case underscores the critical need for enhanced digital literacy and robust regulatory frameworks to identify and combat AI-driven misinformation, particularly in the sensitive domain of healthcare. Future systems must prioritize verifiable information sources and empower individuals to critically evaluate digital content, recognizing that sophisticated AI can convincingly fabricate reality.
AI-generated to prompt reflection — not editorial opinion, not advice, not a statement of fact. How this works.