Warning for false adverts using the KI brand
A growing number of scammers are using the Karolinska Institutet name and logo and the name of individual researchers in false adverts on social media. These fraudulent adverts make out, for example, that KI or a named researcher recommends a particular product, treatment or preparation as some kind of “miracle cure”. Content like this is false marketing.
The purpose of such fake adverts is to mislead and lend credibility to products and treatments that have nothing to do with KI. They are also possibly illegal.
What KI is doing to protect our staff and the general public
The adverts often have a professional look, which can make them easy to fall for. They are targeted at private individuals and organisations inside and outside Sweden.
KI typically learns about such fraudulent advertising from concerned members of the public or researchers whose name and photo have been misused. Some of the adverts are reported to the police and the relevant researchers informed. KI is also talking to the social media platforms to have content that is in breach of the law or regulations or that makes illicit use of a researcher’s identity or KI’s name removed.
How to recognise a scam
KI is doing all it can to raise the alert that scam adverts are being circulated on social media platforms. It is important to remain sceptical about adverts that claim to be associated with researchers or research at KI.
Ask yourself:
- Does the advert come from a credible source?
- Can its claims be fact-checked?
- Does its message seem unlikely or too good to be true?
- Is there any further information about the research on the KI website or other reliable resource (e.g. a medical journal)?
Four steps for staff to take when seeing a scam advert
If you see an advert that uses your name, photo or research without your consent:
- Take a screenshot of it and make a note of where and when it appeared.
- Report it to the social medical platform showing it.
- Report it to the police.
- Contact the Communications and Public Relations Office for advice (see factbox).
This type of content should not be circulated through your own private channels.
Report suspected scam adverts
Private individuals who wish to draw KI’s attention to scam adverts are welcome to contact KI via social media or by email to registrator@ki.se
If you can, attach a screenshot of the advert and a note of where and when it appeared.
Members of staff needing advice on how to handle scam adverts are welcome to contact KI’s Communications and Public Relations Office: Katarina Brdarski, head of unit, katarina.brdarski@ki.se