3·15 Evening Gala | "Medical Expert" Turns Out to Be an Actor! "Private Domain Marketing" Yields 5 Times Profit by Targeting Seniors

In late January 2026, a private domain marketing industry internal exchange conference was held in a certain city in Central China, with over a hundred related companies participating. Through an industry insider’s introduction, a reporter smoothly gained entry to the venue. During the event, many company representatives took the stage to speak and seek partnerships.

At the scene of the internal exchange, the reporter learned that the so-called “online video production company” on stage is a key link in the private domain marketing industry. These “online video production companies” select products from pharmaceutical or health supplement companies, then produce a series of videos such as health lectures based on the purchased medicines or supplements, ranging from four or five episodes to hundreds. After the programs are produced, the “online video production companies” bundle and sell the products and programs to private domain marketing firms, which then use various methods to attract customers, guiding consumers to social platform private domain scenes to watch courses and promote products.

The medicines and health supplements purchased by these online video production companies are very inexpensive, but their external selling prices are extremely high.

Participant Mr. Jin: This bottle costs less than 20 yuan, I directly set the price to 1,198 yuan. After posting the link, someone immediately bought it.

In the past year, the State Administration for Market Regulation has taken serious action against scams targeting the elderly in the private domain sector. To understand the latest developments in private domain marketing, the reporter encountered a company called “Da Hong International” at this conference. They are currently promoting a video called “The Code of Life” in the private domain sector. In marketing materials sent by Manager Liu of Da Hong International, the reporter clearly saw that the first round of 20 episodes of this product video had been completed, and the second round had reached episode 15. The main product promoted is an OTC medicine called “Huoyuan Tai Ganlu Polysaccharide Peptide Oral Solution,” priced at 298 yuan per box, with a 90ml specification.

The materials describe that “The Code of Life” is a course based on the theory of “the first therapy of the 21st century—cell regeneration therapy.” It claims that by taking “Huoyuan Tai Ganlu Polysaccharide Peptide Oral Solution,” patients with various stubborn diseases can recover.

Chronic conditions like cataracts, hypertension, heart failure, myocardial infarction, and stroke—difficult problems that modern medicine still struggles to solve—are claimed in the “The Code of Life” videos to be easily cured by patients simply taking “Huoyuan Tai.” Is this medicine truly so miraculous? A search on the internet revealed information about the indications for “Huoyuan Tai Ganlu Polysaccharide Peptide Oral Solution,” which was shocking.

Indications: Used as an adjunct treatment for immune deficiency, recurrent respiratory infections, leukopenia, aplastic anemia, and tumors. It alleviates adverse reactions of hematopoietic system and gastrointestinal reactions caused by radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

The indications for “Huoyuan Tai Ganlu Polysaccharide Peptide Oral Solution” are severely inconsistent with the exaggerated claims in the “The Code of Life” videos. How much is this product really worth? Further searches found no market price for the 90ml specification of “Huoyuan Tai Ganlu Polysaccharide Peptide Oral Solution,” but another product, “Ganlu Polysaccharide Peptide Oral Solution (An Jia An)” in 100ml, with the same manufacturer, approval number, and drug code, is priced at only 68 yuan.

A common auxiliary treatment drug, falsely promoted with exaggerated or even fabricated effects and sold at nearly five times the market price. To uncover the secret behind this, the reporter visited Da Hong International’s office, where Manager Liu was the receptionist. At the start of the conversation, Liu unexpectedly mentioned the “3.15 Gala.”

Da Hong International Manager Liu: If you’re planning to do anything, wait until after the “3.15 Gala.” We don’t know what will happen during this year’s show. The “3.15 Gala” is a trend indicator, and our private channel sector is in a gray area.

Liu emphasized that, as a producer of false courses and high-priced drug scams targeting the elderly, they need to stay low-profile recently to avoid attracting the attention of the “3.15 Gala.”

Da Hong International Manager Liu: Recently, everyone is worried that the “3.15” evening show might expose our group (private domain). Actually, our industry can’t withstand scrutiny.

Facing the upcoming “3.15 Gala,” Liu explained her business strategy, advising against launching online videos now. Besides during the “3.15 Gala,” the Spring Festival period is also unsuitable for private domain marketing.

Da Hong International Manager Liu: If you want to do it, wait until after the “3.15 Gala.” Because you need to wait for the right timing. During the New Year, children are at home, and no one allows their elders to spend so much money on these products.

On a shelf beside the office, various health supplements and medicines are displayed. Liu explained that these are products previously promoted in their online videos. To sell these ordinary products as “miracle drugs,” they put in a lot of effort.

Liu said that behind every scam targeting elderly consumers in online videos, there is a professional planning company helping the video producers craft “scam scripts.” To fully expose the complete scam routine of private domain marketing, the reporter was introduced to Shengwei Cultural Media Co., Ltd., located in a northeastern city. The company’s leader, Mr. Zhang, explained the “standard process” of planning a private domain video online.

Mr. Zhong from Shengwei told the reporter that the most critical factor determining whether a so-called online video can sell products is the “medical experts” featured in the video.

Shengwei Media’s Zhong: Establish the authority of the teacher (expert), so that the public trusts them. Once the trust is built, whatever the teacher promotes, the public will follow and buy.

Since experts are so crucial, what kind of people can become the main speakers in these online videos?

Shengwei Media’s Zhong: The two most important words for us are “actor.” We write whatever the teacher is supposed to say. The professionalism is given by the script. As long as the teacher speaks with emotion and clarity, that’s enough. They don’t need to be truly professional, just good at acting.

Can identities be assigned at will? Instead of doctors, use actors? Do they just read scripts without medical knowledge? Are all those experts with titles like “Disciples of National Medicine” or “Traditional Chinese Medicine Masters” just skilled actors?

Shengwei Media’s Zhong: Not anymore. Now the government is strict, so the teachers need to actually be doctors.

Zhong admitted that in the past, most “experts” in their videos were fake. Now, with tighter regulation of the private sector, they are starting to look for medical personnel with valid practicing doctor or pharmacist licenses to record programs. However, these titles still come from company-designed and packaged personas.

Zhong explained that titles like “Disciples of National Medicine,” “Society Presidents,” or “Expert Committee Members” are almost all bought with money. To verify the truth, the reporter visited several other online video producers and planning companies, and the answers were surprisingly consistent.

Ao Ying Media’s Liu: Customers want authoritative teachers. Can real authoritative teachers do this? All fake, all scams.

The online video producers and planning companies shamelessly package fake “experts.” But do the medical personnel pushed to the front know about these scams? The reporter wanted to see the recording process and meet the instructors, but they said recording would only resume after the “3.15 Gala.”

Shua Ba Cultural Media Manager Qin: Especially now, most are big clients who understand the trends. After the “3.15 Gala,” they will plan and shoot.

The reporter, posing as an online video producer, contacted several so-called expert instructors involved in recording videos. All were highly cautious and refused recent meetings.

Despite all parties being cautious about the “3.15” reporters, the “3.15” team persisted and finally gained the trust of an “expert instructor,” Ding Yuqiu, who agreed to meet.

Although in the videos, ophthalmologist Ding Yuqiu spoke convincingly, a search revealed that Ding holds a medical license, but it is for internal medicine, not ophthalmology. Why can an internist suddenly appear as an “eye expert” online?

Online Video Instructor Ding Yuqiu: First, you need a medical license. Second, you need to speak well. Don’t worry about the “title.” The “title” can be bought—pay the fee, join the association, and I can be a vice president easily.

The reporter checked the Ministry of Civil Affairs’ “China Social Organization Government Service Platform” and found no registration record for the “Chinese Medical Doctor Association.” Without careful online research, consumers wouldn’t know that the “Chinese Medical Doctor Association” Ding mentioned is a non-existent organization.

(Article source: CCTV Finance)