How These Scams Work
Fake celebrity endorsement stories follow a simple formula. Scammers create realistic-looking news pages mimicking outlets like CNN, Fox News, or USA Today.
They fill them with stolen images, fake quotes, and fabricated “interviews” — then promote them through paid Facebook or Instagram ads.
The posts use emotional hooks such as:
“We’re Sad to Say Goodbye to Steve Harvey.”
“Oprah Confirms Shocking News About Steve Harvey.”
Once readers click, they’re sent to the fake article — which secretly promotes a product.
In this case, it was Canna Labs CBD Gummies.
The scammers falsely claimed Harvey used the gummies to treat personal health issues, even inventing dialogue with Oprah to make it seem real.
Fact-Checkers Expose the Truth
Fact-checking sites like Snopes quickly debunked the rumors.
The same scam format has appeared for years, only swapping celebrity names: Oprah Winfrey, Dr. Phil, Mayim Bialik, Tom Selleck — all falsely linked to “miracle” health products.
Investigations traced many of these websites to networks of anonymous scam domains based in Eastern Europe and Asia.
They appear for a few weeks, collect clicks and credit-card details, then vanish — only to reappear under a new name.
Why So Many People Fall for It
These scams succeed because they exploit trust and emotion.
When you see a familiar face — like Steve Harvey — next to a CNN-style headline, your brain assumes it’s legitimate.
Add words like “confession,” “fired,” or “banned”, and curiosity takes over.
Once hooked, victims are pushed to buy a “limited offer” or sign up for a “free trial.”
Many later discover unauthorized charges or fake products that never arrive.
Steve Harvey Responds
Steve Harvey himself has repeatedly warned fans about fake ads using his name.
In a 2023 Instagram video, he said plainly:
“Stop falling for this mess. I don’t sell gummies. I don’t do CBD. If you didn’t hear me say it on my show or my page — it’s fake.”
He remains the host of Family Feud and continues to be one of the most recognizable and respected figures on American television.
Oprah Winfrey has also addressed the problem publicly, revealing that her name and photo have been used in countless fake endorsements. She even dedicated a segment of The Oprah Conversation to exposing these scams.
The Bigger Picture: Online Scams Are Booming
Fake celebrity endorsement scams are now a multibillion-dollar industry.
According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), social media scams — including fake celebrity promotions — caused more than $1.2 billion in reported losses in 2024.
Most originated on Facebook and Instagram.
Because scammers can easily clone real news sites, fake domains appear faster than platforms can remove them.
How to Protect Yourself
Here’s how to stay safe from similar scams:
Check the source: Legitimate outlets have clean domains like cnn.com or abcnews.go.com.
Look for official confirmation: Celebrities often debunk rumors on their verified accounts.
Avoid “miracle” products: If a story promises health cures or limited offers, it’s probably fake.
Never enter payment info on a site linked from a suspicious Facebook ad.
The Bottom Line
The viral story about Steve Harvey being “fired” from Family Feud was pure fiction — a marketing ploy to sell fake CBD gummies.
Steve Harvey was never fired, never interviewed by Oprah about ED, and never endorsed any CBD product.
In today’s digital world, misinformation spreads faster than ever — and a few seconds of fact-checking can save you from becoming a victim..