Scam posts
CAPRISA is aware of fraudulent images on social media posts peddling a drug called Cardioton purporting that Professor Salim Abdool Karim, Director of CAPRISA endorses the product Cardioton. The fraudulent posts surfaced towards the end of last year. The posts and fake website links have been circulating on Facebook, Instagram and shared through WhatsApp groups. The intent is clear: to make money from unsuspecting people by falsely using Professors Abdool Karims’ name to lend credibility to the product.
Prof Abdool Karim is well-known and respected as a leading scientist, epidemiologist and a trusted voice on scientific medical advice. He was the Chief Scientific Advisor and Chaired the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Covid-19. In this capacity he was the official communicator on scientific matters relating to Covid-19 in the media globally. He serves as a Special Advisor to the DG Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus.
Professor Abdool Karim is not a cardiologist. He is not a professor emeritus of cardiothoracic surgery in Johannesburg. He does not and has never endorsed products. This fake post is dangerous.
Watch ENCA's report on AI and scam posts targetting high profile prominent individuals: https://watch.evod.co.za/video/brand_52393803846?season=15&episode=4