U.S. Department of Justice

United States Attorney

Southern District of Florida   

99 N.E. 4 Street,

Miami, FL 33132

(305)961-9001

January 18, 2008

NEWS RELEASE :

ARTHUR VANMOOR CONVICTED ON 19 COUNTS  FOR SELLING FAKE CANCER CURE

    R. Alexander Acosta, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and David Bourne, Special Agent in Charge, Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigation, Miami Field Office, and Jonathan I. Solomon, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Miami Division, announced today the conviction of Arthur Vanmoor on 19 counts, including charges of mail fraud and wire fraud, violations of the Food Drug and Cosmetic Act (FDCA), and conspiracy to commit these offenses.

        The evidence at trial revealed Vanmoor hired individuals to create and write content for websites with names such as “www.cancercure.org” and “www.migrainemiracle.com.” to promote his products, “Cancer Control” and “Migraine Miracle,” by falsely claiming that the products were FDA-approved drugs guaranteed to cure numerous forms of cancer and migraine headaches.  Vanmoor further arranged for the websites to contain fake articles from doctors with pictures of people dressed like doctors holding the products as well as phony patient testimonials recommending the products. 

        Previously, on December 22, 2005, in U.S. v. Arthur Vanmoor, et al. , Case No. 05-61940-CV-LENARD/KLEIN (S.D. Fla.), the United States Attorney’s Office obtained a 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.  Evidence at trial showed that Vanmoor nevertheless continued to maintain his websites and calling lines after the entry of the temporary restraining order.

        The conspiracy count carries a maximum statutory term of imprisonment of five (5) 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 twenty (20) years and $250,000, respectively.  The maximum statutory term of imprisonment and fine for each FDCA violation is three (3) years and $250,000, respectively.

        Mr. Acosta commended the investigative efforts of the Food and Drug Administration Office of Criminal Investigation and the FBI. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Keene and Food and Drug Administration Office of Criminal Investigation  Attorney Jason S. Hadges.

        A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls.

Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

 

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