The UK’s medicines and healthcare products watchdog has warned HIV and Aids sufferers not to fall for an internet scam claiming to have a miracle cure for their condition.
The warning follows a raid on two locations in Leeds and Belfast, which found evidence that organised criminals linked to Zimbabwean gangs had set-up a website claiming to supply a machine and associated medicine to cure HIV, Aids and other illnesses.
The website, run by Savec Health Systems, also claimed to have a list of doctors who had used the device successfully on patients, and quoted endorsements from four UK medical clinics, none of which had any knowledge of it.
MHRA director of policy, Shaun Gallagher said: “We have contacted one of the clinics referred to in the testimonial on the Savec Health Systems website and it has no knowledge of the product.
“It would be extremely doubtful that any machine of this kind would have any value in the treatment of HIV/Aids. All of the evidence suggests that the product does not even exist and that this is simply a scam, being run through an organised crime gang, to take money from vulnerable people.”
The MHRA’s main roles are to assess the safety of medicines and medical devices, to make sure they comply with standards and safety requirements and to monitor the advertising and use of drugs and equipment.
However, it also has a role in investigating internet sales, counterfeiting and other scams. Katrice Pearce, a spokesperson for the MHRA, said it launched a similar, criminal investigation into a cure for cancer about a decade ago, which resulted in an individual receiving 12 months in prison.
Evidence gathered during the MHRA search on the addresses in Belfast and Leeds indicated that the gang took the time to research the effects of Aids and cancer to ensure the website gave the impression that the devices worked.
The website asked buyers to purchase the medical device via credit card, Paypal or money transfer. “We believe the purpose of the scam was to get money and not to obtain sensitive information,” Pearce said.
She added: “The website was closed by authorities at the end of last month, shortly after the searches were carried out. However, if they move the website hosting to another country, we have little or no power to prevent them starting up again.”
The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety in Northern Ireland, police and MHRA are continuing to investigate the case.