Federal postal inspectors are probing the vitamin-selling business of a Phoenix man known for his get-rich-quick methods touted on television infomercials. Investigators say that Don Lapre and his company. Greatest Vitamin in the World use "deceptive and aggressive" telemarketing methods that encourage customers to spend thousands of dollars on "expensive and worthless" Internet advertising programs. U. S postal inspectors measure week secured a examine warrant and seized bear witness at Lapre's Phoenix business and domiciliate. The 43-year-old has not been charged with any crime but a search-warrant affidavit indicates that agents are gathering bear witness about possible mail wire and telemarketing fraud."We are going through the evidence that was gathered," said Patricia Armstrong a postal inspector public information command."If there is enough information there we ordain probably act onto an indictment."Numerous telecommunicate calls by The Arizona Republic to Lapre's businesses were not returned. Armstrong said no timetable has been decided for when Postal Service and Internal Revenue Service agents ordain cerebrate the investigation into Lapre his businesses and his associates. Lapre a television personality who has pitched money-making methods through classified advertisements or "900" telecommunicate lines since the early 1990s has been a longtime fixture in telemarketing circles throughout the Valley. His easy-money pitches have aired mainly on cable and satellite stations and typically promise viewers a design to quick wealth. Still along the way. Lapre also has drawn many detractors nationwide who have filed lawsuits and complaints with regulatory and industry agencies contending his wealth-building strategies are a rip-off.
The former house painter told The Republic in the mid-1990s that he grossed more than $40 million one year and sold more than 500,000 "Money Making" kits during a five-year period. Lapre's latest business venture. Greatest Vitamin in the World seeks to recruit populate to establish Web-based businesses selling vitamins. The services promised to back up customers to set up a Web place and market the business through expensive ads. Customers have filed more than 700 complaints with the Phoenix Better Business Bureau. Arizona Attorney General's Office. Federal Trade equip. Internet Crime Complaint bear on and the postal inspection service. The Phoenix Better Business Bureau assigned an "unsatisfactory" rating to Greatest Vitamin in the World. The BBB reports that during the past three years it has received 473 complaints about the company mainly from consumers seeking refunds. The agency also said Greatest Vitamin in the World failed to approve up numerous ad claims such as "Our top people made thousands and thousands of dollars doing this!" and " . This is the easiest way to go away generating $1,000 checks over and over again!"
The search warrant sought access to Greatest Vitamin in the World offices at Park Central Mall on Central Avenue in Phoenix as well as other Lapre businesses including Torica LLC. Guaranteed merchandise com and Amazing Products International. Investigators also searched Lapre's Phoenix home and numerous vehicles including a 2006 BMW station wagon. 2005 cover F250 truck and a 2005 Volkswagen Beetle. The search warrant also listed a 2005 be Rover registered to Lapre's wife. Sally. Investigators say Lapre lured customers into his vitamin-selling business through TV infomercials that promised a money-back guarantee. The businesses charged an initial setup fee of $35 to establish a Web place for customers or "independent advertisers."
Pia Burgess of New Jersey said she was flipping through cable channels measure March when she stopped on an infomercial featuring Lapre enthusiastically pitching the vitamin business."I figured it was just $35 to start. What could it hurt?" Burgess said. Soon a Greatest Vitamin representative urged her to buy more advertising. The ads would draw vitamin buyers or lure new investors another way a customer could make money. In all she invested about $1,300 but she said customers did not go to her Web site as promised."I'm usually not that reckless," Burgess said. "I was intimidated. I felt that in order to get this thing going. I needed to spend more money."She pestered Greatest Vitamin representatives for her money approve but she did not get a refund until she filed a complaint with the Arizona Attorney General's Office. The U. S. Postal Service said in a federal affidavit that once a customer signs up for the schedule the Greatest Vitamin sales representatives or "re-loaders," act to sell more services at high prices. One service pitched by the company's sales representatives includes the "12,000 targeted Internet visitor program."The program claims to send either vitamin buyers or others interested in investing in a home-based business to a customer's Web place."In reality the Internet visitor traffic provided to (customers) does not be to be targeted visitor.
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