Fake health videos offering deadly advice are flooding social media, preying on vulnerable users for clicks and profit. Documentary-maker Sam Tullen investigated the phenomenon, revealing a shadowy world of content farmers who exploit health fears with AI-generated clips.
Dangerous Claims Going Viral
From inserting garlic rectally to boost immunity to using tomato juice as a blood thinner, these false claims can be fatal. One video claimed essential oils could cure tumors within a week, while another urged viewers to avoid doctors for lumps and instead drink turmeric soup. Sam Tullen tracked these videos, which are taken down after about a day but reappear weekly to maintain the cycle.
How Content Farming Works
This mass production of low-quality material, known as content farming, maximizes views, clicks, and ad revenue. Scammers use affiliate links to profit from desperate viewers. Sam reverse-searched a video to an account belonging to 'Bilal Roy,' who claimed to earn $10,000 monthly from AI-generated affiliate links. After paying an $860 mentoring fee, Sam received a 'secret document' outlining methods to exploit health fears, including instructions to 'make them think they could get sick or even die so they buy it.'
Sam expressed shock at the predatory ethics: 'These videos prey on people's vulnerabilities, especially older users who do not understand AI. It could delay urgent care.' He called on social media platforms to monitor harmful content and for users to verify sources before acting on health advice.
Meta and LinkedIn were contacted for comment. Sam's documentary series Disclosed aims to help viewers spot misinformation and is available from May 1, 2026.
