What This Report Is About

This article documents a recurring tactic where some YouTube channels publish disguised “review” videos that are actually adverts selling health products, often making dangerous claims. The goal is to help viewers, platforms, and regulators recognize the pattern and to provide a ready-to-send complaint template.

How these channels operate

Common signs include:

• Videos presented as “honest reviews” but with tracking links that direct viewers to purchase pages.


• Heavy use of stock footage, voiceover-only narration, and no clear reviewer identity.


• Exaggerated before/after claims, testimonials that can’t be verified, or promises of cure/rapid weight loss.


• Networks of similar channels reposting the same content to increase reach.


• Persistent comments disabled or heavily moderated to hide complaints.

Why this is dangerous

These disguised ads are harmful because they:

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• Promote unproven or unsafe products that can delay proper medical treatment.


• Spread misleading medical claims and create false hope.


• Exploit vulnerable audiences with high-pressure sales tactics.


• Evade platform policies and local consumer-protection laws by appearing as “independent” reviews.

How to collect evidence

Before filing a report, collect objective evidence:

1. Example: [CHANNEL NAME], https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXXXXXXX


2. Screenshots of the video page showing the title, uploader, date, and description (especially affiliate or landing-page links).


3. Transcripts or exact timestamps of claims made in the video.


4. Screenshots of the product landing page(s) the video links to (showing product claims, price, and refund policy).


5. Any purchase pages or checkout screens that reveal the product brand, company name, payment processor, or contact details.


6. Evidence of repeated patterns across multiple videos or channels (identical scripts, thumbnails, or disclaimers).

Step-by-step reporting

Suggested steps:

1. Report the video to YouTube using the platform’s reporting tool (choose “Scam or fraud” or “Misinformation” if available). Include links and a concise description.


2. Send evidence to the advertiser/affiliate networks (if you can identify them) and to the product’s payment processor or merchant.


3. File a complaint with local consumer protection/regulatory agencies. For Brazil, for example, use consumer protection bodies or the public consumer portal—insert the correct local portal if needed.


4. If the content makes medical claims that could harm people, consider notifying public health agencies or professional medical boards.


5. If you or others were financially harmed, keep receipts and request chargebacks from your bank/payment provider.