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FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA---A Fort Lauderdale grand jury has indicted a South Florida man for allegedly selling fake cures for cancer and other illnesses.
Arthur Vanmoor has been charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud and Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act violations.
According to the indictment, Vanmoor and his co-conspirators sold fake cures for cancer, migraines, influenza, and cramps over the Internet using approximately 20 websites with names such as www.breastcancercure.com and www.lungcancercure.org.
Federal prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s office for the Southern District of Florida said Vanmoor and his co-conspirators used these websites to promote his products for “Cancer Control,” “Migraine Miracle,” “Flu Fighter,” and “Cramps Comforter” as being “guaranteed” cures and approved by the U.S States Food and Drug Administration for use on human beings, when, in fact, they were not.
The indictment further alleges that Vanmoor arranged for the websites to contain “Bogus articles from bogus doctors, . . . pictures of people dressed like doctors holding the products [“Cancer Control,” “Migraine Miracle,” “Flu Fighter,” and “Cramps Comforter”], . . . [and] bogus testimonials.” Additionally, the indictment states that Vanmoor promoted his products on his websites under the names of FDA-approved drugs such as Pfizer’s Camptosar®. In reality, his products were neither such FDA-approved drugs, nor did they contain significant amounts, if any, of the active ingredients of these FDA-approved drugs.
On Dec. 22, the U.S. Attorney’s Office obtained a civil temporary restraining order against Vanmoor and others prohibiting the continued promotion, advertisement, production, shipment, and/or sale of “Cancer Control,” “Migraine Miracle,” “Flu Fighter,” and any other non-FDA-approved drugs in interstate commerce. The indictment alleges that Vanmoor nevertheless continued to maintain his websites and calling lines in violation of the temporary restraining order.
Consequently, the court in the civil case found Vanmoor to be in civil contempt, and the United States indicted him on Jan.10 for criminal contempt.
If convicted of the conspiracy count, defendant Vanmoor faces a maximum statutory term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum statutory fine of $250,000. The maximum statutory term of imprisonment and fine for each of the mail and wire fraud counts is 20 years and $250,000 respectively. The maximum statutory term of imprisonment and fine for each FDCA violation is three years and $250,000 respectively. 3-15-06
© 2006 North
Country Gazette
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