"Dr. Drauzio Varella has the solution to your problems": mapping fraudulent health ads on Meta
- Rafaela Campos da Silva
- Jun 11
- 1 min read
Proceedings of the 34th Annual Meeting of COMPÓS
This paper investigates how advertising content exploits the credibility of scientific and media figures and the infrastructure of digital platforms to generate profit and influence behavior.
We identified 3,710 fraudulent ads using Drauzio Varella's image to promote treatments without scientific basis, displayed on Meta platforms between July and December 2024. Data collection was conducted via a scraper for daily searches in Meta's Ad Library, and the analysis combined qualitative and quantitative methods.
The ads violate Brazilian regulations and expose flaws in Meta's moderation policies, misusing the image and name of public figures and institutions while misleading consumers.
The results show how platforms facilitate an illegal market, harming public health and trust in science.
How to cite: Barros, C., Sanchotene, N., Salles, D., Santini, R. M. (2025). "Dr. Drauzio Varella has the solution to your problems": mapping fraudulent health advertisements in Meta. Proceedings of the 34th Annual Meeting of COMPÓS
