Prominent Estonian doctors exploited in fraudulent advertisements

Scammers are using the names and images of well-known Estonian doctors in fake advertisements, promising miracle cures for high blood pressure. Cardiologist Margus Viigimaa and GP Eero Merilind have warned that advertisements using their names are forgeries. Victims sometimes spend their last savings on worthless products.

A dangerous form of fraud has spread in Estonia, where the names and images of prominent doctors are used without permission in fake advertisements. Cardiologist Margus Viigimaa and GP Eero Merilind are among the healthcare professionals whose identities have been misused to sell people dubious health products.

Promises that don't hold up

The advertisements claim, for example, that some unknown dietary supplement can cure high blood pressure in a single day. From a medical standpoint, such a promise is complete nonsense, chronic diseases are not treated overnight by any miracle cure. Yet there are enough people who trust the familiar doctor's face on their screen and purchase the promised miracle remedy even if it means spending their last savings.

The doctors themselves are frustrated by such misuse. They say this is a dangerous practice that damages not only their professional reputation but can also harm patients' health, as people may abandon proven medications in hopes that a cheap internet product will deliver the same results.

How to protect yourself

Experts' advice is simple: if an advertisement promises quick and complete cure for some chronic illness, it should immediately be treated with suspicion. It's also worth checking whether the doctor featured in the advertisement has actually endorsed such a product, usually the answer is no. The Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority (TTJA) recommends reporting fraud to help prevent similar cases.

The spread of deceptive health videos and advertisements on social media has grown across all of Europe, and Estonia is no exception. Experts emphasize that platforms like Facebook and Instagram should take stricter measures to prevent fake advertisements that use a real person's identity without permission.