Authorities are investigating a make-believe chemist who is believed to have been preying on desperate cancer patients. Vincent Gammill is being prosecuted for scamming cancer patients out of thousands of dollars by illegally practicing medicine and prescribing expired medication.
The self-proclaimed alternative medicine cancer healer is believed to have scammed multiple gullible patients, including a Thousand Oaks mother.
Law enforcement officers with the Pharmaceutical Crimes Unit of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Interagency are currently gathering evidence pertaining to Gammill’s multiple scams. Earlier this month, the 69-year-old was arrested on a variety of charges, ranging from furnishing dangerous drugs without a license, to dependent adult abuse and practicing medicine without a license.
During searches of the man’s home, authorities uncovered over 25,000 prescription pills, including strong opiates such as morphine. The man also possessed other compounds, such as steroids, Ambien as well as Russian and Mexican drugs.
According to an ABC News source, the so-called cancer healer would ask several thousands of dollars from their patients for two days of treatment which included mystery oils and powders.
Gammill has been released on bail (for $10,000). His trial is expected to commence on the 31st of August and until then, authorities are attempting to ascertain whether other victims exist.
Realizing that the entire show was nothing more than a con, Gammill’s victim contacted the police. According to her, the 69-year-old claimed to be a chemist, however, when he handed her expired prescriptions, she began suspecting that something was not in order.
Sadly, such cases aren’t singular. There are various con artists who prey on the hopes and desperation of cancer patients. As the disease progresses, cancer patients become more and more vulnerable, and such masters-of-deception are well aware of the pitfalls awaiting their potential victims.
“He robbed me of my money, of my time. It was three days driving up, I was away from my children and my family,” the victim said.
Gammill also runs an online website on natural oncology, which is currently up and running.
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