Police arrested a Rosh Ha'ayin resident and a Nes Tziona
resident on suspicions of defrauding hundreds of terminally-
ill cancer patients and selling them a wonder drug that was
discovered to contain only salt water. The investigation that
uncovered the scam was opened following complaints that
reached the Health Ministry.
The two allegedly sold cancer patients hundreds of bottles,
charging NIS 180 each and claiming they had curative
powers.
Investigators learned the suspect from Rosh Ha'ayin had
founded a company called Maayan Mei Chaim that sold bottles
of water containing minerals and billed as a medication for
patients with various diseases. He split the profits with a
friend from Nes Tziona who works as a practitioner of
alternative medicine.
The con artists sold bottles labeled as Mei Chaim to cancer
patients, Mei Moriyah to diabetes patients and Mei Bereshit
to Alzheimer's patients, as well as other similar products.
The only difference between the bottles was the salt content.
The two also fabricated recommendations and letters of thanks
supposedly sent by patients helped by them. Police were
unable to locate any of the people who signed the
recommendations.
One customer taken in by the scam paid NIS 40,000. Police say
the two even managed to dupe a ranking doctor at Sheba
Hospital who agreed to try the product as part of medical
treatments administered to cancer patients. "The suspects
took advantage of the innocence of people whose world had
been destroyed and were willing to try everything to improve
their situation," said investigators. "The suspects sold them
the product by creating the illusion it would bring about
their salvation." The suspects were questioned and released
on bail.
