The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) warned the public about the spread of unauthorized and unregistered medicines being sold through online platforms, citing the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) and paid advertisements to mislead buyers.
The government agency said scammers are using sponsored posts and AI-generated content to make illegal products appear legitimate and easier to purchase.
“Scammers are always evolving. They take advantage of sponsored ads, AI-generated content, and the speed of online transactions,” said Undersecretary Renato Paraiso of the CICC, in a media advisory. “At present, social media and digital platforms still face limitations in regulating these effectively.”
The CICC said some online listings promote so-called miracle cures at very low prices to push consumers into quick purchases. Among the products flagged is Hokkaido, a slimming pill brand that authorities said allegedly contains a harmful mixture linked to methamphetamine.
The warning follows a Senate Committee on Health and Demography hearing, where the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) faced questions about the continued availability of risky drugs through online marketplaces. Lawmakers raised concerns that products such as the Hokkaido pills remain easily accessible to consumers online.
The CICC said the situation shows that public warnings alone may no longer be enough to address the problem. During discussions with major online marketplaces, Paraiso proposed combining self-regulation with a government-backed national database that identifies legitimate and illegitimate health products. The agency said such a list would help platforms quickly detect and remove risky listings.
The agency advised the public to buy health products only from licensed sellers and to be cautious of advertisements that promise quick or unrealistic results. Consumers were also urged to avoid sharing unnecessary personal information when purchasing products online and to be wary of deals that appear unusually cheap.
The public may report suspicious products or fraudulent online listings through the Inter-Agency Response Center Hotline 1326 or by sending a message to the CICC’s official social media pages.