Press Release
ARTHUR VANMOOR CONVICTED ON 19 COUNTS FOR SELLING FAKE CANCER CURE
January 18, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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 http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
Technical comments about this website can be e-mailed to the Webmaster. PLEASE NOTE: The United States Attorney's Office does not respond to non-technical inquiries made to this website. If you wish to make a request for information, you may contact our office at 305-961-9001, or you may send a written inquiry to the United States Attorney's Office, Southern District of Florida, 99 NE 4th Street, Miami, Fl. 33132.