Scammers Impersonate Brian Druker to Sell $467 Ivermectin as Cancer Cure
Updated
Updated · OregonLive · Jun 11
Scammers Impersonate Brian Druker to Sell $467 Ivermectin as Cancer Cure
2 articles · Updated · OregonLive · Jun 11
Summary
Fake X and Facebook accounts used Oregon cancer doctor Brian Druker’s name and image to promote ivermectin as a cancer treatment, with one alleged victim saying they were scammed out of $467.
A phone number on the X account connected to someone claiming to be “Dr. Druker” and marketing ivermectin and other unproven therapies, while the Facebook account was still live Thursday even after the X account was suspended.
Researchers say such impersonation is becoming more dangerous as AI and polished fake profiles make fringe health claims look credible to seriously ill patients seeking certainty.
About half of U.S. adults under 50 get health or wellness information from influencers or podcasts, Pew found, while fewer than 20% of nearly 13,000 large health accounts were run by medical professionals.
Doctors and medical groups warn the scams can erode trust, steer patients toward toxic or ineffective treatments, and may prompt stronger legal penalties for AI-driven physician impersonation.
A top scientist's identity was stolen to push fake cancer cures. How can patients tell a breakthrough from a dangerous deception online?
When AI can perfectly mimic doctors to sell fake cures, is the real crisis the technology or our broken trust in healthcare?
The Dr. Druker Scam and the Rise of Medical Impersonation: How AI and Social Media Fuel a Crisis of Trust in Health Information (2026)
Overview
In spring 2026, fraudsters impersonated Dr. Brian Druker, a respected cancer researcher, using his name and image to spread false health advice online. This scam highlights how the mix of expert and non-expert voices on the internet makes it easy for impostors to blend in and deceive people. Dr. Druker warned that such deception undermines trust in medical professionals and can lead to worse health outcomes for those seeking real medical help. The report shows that the success of these scams is rooted in the current online environment, where many health claims come from people without medical credentials.