Don Lapre: Vitamin Infomercial Scammer's Still at It

Thousands of "Independent Advertisers" know this man as a con-artist, some even nicknaming him "Infomercial Pimp." Others may still be fooled by the spell this man puts over midnight-television viewers nationwide! So, why the bad press?

If you have ever heard of "The Greatest Vitamin in the World," you have heard about one of Don Lapre's biggest scams to date. Whether the vitamin really is the "greatest" or not is up to personal opinion. However, many do not know that the FDA has also stepped in numerous times to show Don Lapre that he still needs to do his homework.

The company, Amazing Products International has miscatagorized the product as a mere dietary supplement, yet they state that this "pill of wonders" is the cure-all. The FDA snagged the attention of the product when it was advertised to cure cancer, strokes, heart attacks and more. The FDA claims that by law, the company is either miscatorgorizing the product or it is being falsely advertised. They contacted him by letter on July 19, 2005.

This man, Mr. Lapre, has a criminal history stemming from dates prior to 1990. He and his wife opened at credit repair company called "Unknown Concepts." This company was shutdown by the Arizona Attorney General for consumer fraud. While this is more of a local crime, he is more popular for his infamous 900-number scheme. This is where he rented 900-numbers to ordinary people who were looking for an investment. Most of these people did not get paid. As a matter of fact, most people who fall for his lies and deceit never even get refunded for their "risk free trials." He HAS been known for multiple Chapter 7 bankruptcies and withholding taxes. Don Lapre and The Greatest Vitamin in the World are currently under investigation. Some web based rumors are that he was actually confronted by the FBI on Aug. 16, 2007. But, this alleged accusation hasn't been proven.

As of August 23, 2007, many Independent Advertisers for his company have been frustrated. They haven't been able to operate their web-based Internet businesses they started through Don Lapre's company. They haven't been able to contact the main company. Worst of all, they have been given run arounds. More than ten of the direct numbers the company gives or does business from, including the alias affiliated Torica, LLC. number, have been disconnected or have a message stating that the "code has not yet been activated for this number" in place.

These personal Web pages have begun to display information about a merge that has currently taken place with a company out of California; but the company name is not given. The new product name of NutraForia is given, but no further information. There is no contact information. However, there is a field to submit your person information directly to the company, in which they will contact you promptly. Few people have been contacted. Some have been contacted only to be told that they will be contacted within a 72 hour period that has led into weeks. Another suspicious activity that Independent Contractors have been witnessing is a contact e-mail has been given but has changed four times in the past two weeks. All the company states is that "this account has accidentally terminated." One question, or is it two? How does a successful business like Amazing Products International "accidentally" delete a Yahoo e-mail account? Furthermore, how professional does a company like Amazing Products International look using a Yahoo e-mail address while doing business nationwide?

The company claims that they are currently at meetings to prepare free programs to Independent Advertisers within the next few weeks to make up for a long wait. However, if your math is done correctly, some one signing up to advertise for the company prior to August 23, 2007 will not be under the obligation to be refunded money they paid to become part of this "amazing opportunity." This looks like they are stalling people from using law enforcement until they are granted a new bankruptcy claim.

One Independent Advertiser states, "I spent over $350 my first day, because of "act now" opportunities including purchasing clients, a co-op redirect program that redirects customers to your page if they go to the main website to purchase items, and a VIP website that looked like it was done in Microsoft Word and was supposed to contain video and flash. Where is the flash? I have seen ten-year olds make better sites, and they wouldn't even let you customize it. Oh, and they wouldn't even put my correct name on the website. I tried to cancel within 30 days, even though you are given 60, and there was no one to connect to."

One thing that is very odd, but a common practice among those who use bankruptcies to their advantage, the type of business keeps changing. The Independent Contractors are working for Amazing Products, LLC. But, they pay for services through Amazing Products, International. It looks like the same company, but it isn't. This is one way a company can still operate even in the midst of a scam. As a fellow writer stated on a website dedicated to Don Lapre and those he has worked in partnership with: "Be wary of Don Lapre and 'The Greatest Vitamin in the World!" If you feel you have been frauded or scammed by this company, contact your local FBI offices. Also, put in a report with the Better Business Bureau to help document these incidents and keep future prospects in the light. Also, if you have used a credit or debit card to purchase items from this company and you weren't refunded your money, contact your card provider. Chances are there are insurances on fraud provided through these card companies.