China’s ‘tumor research institute’ scam: Woman duped into paying $27,000 for bizarre cancer treatments – Times of India
NEW DELHI: An investigation is underway in China regarding a so-called “tumor research institute” following a woman’s claims that her mother, who was suffering from cancer, was deceived into paying 200,000 yuan (approximately $27,000) for supposed “treatments” that included bloodletting and applying cement to her skin.
The woman, identified by her surname Wang, disclosed that her mother had received a late-stage breast cancer diagnosis towards the end of 2021.Subsequently, they were introduced to a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner inWuhan, located in Hubei province, central China, who professed expertise in cancer treatment, as reported by the news portal TheCover.
Wang and her mother traveled to meet this individual, identified by the surname Yu, at his Dongyusanbao Tumor Research Institute. Yu claimed to have developed a medicine capable of eliminating cancer cells and even provided them with what appeared to be plausible patent documents and award certificates.
Wang’s mother promptly purchased the initial batch of liquid medication from Yu at a cost of 20,000 yuan (around $2,700), which he claimed needed to be taken orally. Over the course of a year, Wang revealed that she and her mother made six trips from their home in northeastern Liaoning province to Wuhan, incurring a total expense of over 200,000 yuan.
In addition to administering oral medication to the elderly woman, Yu also conducted numerous injections into her breasts to induce bleeding, according to Wang. However, the most perplexing aspect of his treatment soon emerged.
“He told my mother to apply cement mixed with lime on the skin under her armpits, saying this could help shrink lumps. My mother followed his instructions but her skin festered after doing it for two months,” Wang said.
In April of this year, the mother’s health took a turn for the worse, and local medical professionals delivered the heartbreaking news that cancer cells had metastasized throughout her body. Despite this grim prognosis, Yu reassured them that this was a normal progression and urged them not to be concerned, persuading the mother to persist with his medication. Tragically, Wang’s mother passed away in June.
It was subsequently revealed that Yu, in a later admission, lacked any medical qualifications, as did his institute.
“I am not practising medicine. I just sold them health-enhancing products. My method of bloodletting is aimed at promoting good health, it is not acupuncture,” Yu said.
Furthermore, he acknowledged that the certificates and documents he had presented to Wang and her mother had been purchased online for a nominal sum.
The authorities are currently conducting an ongoing investigation into the matter.
Instances of medical fraud are unfortunately widespread in China. As an example, in September, the police in Beijing apprehended 41 individuals for defrauding senior citizens, convincing them to purchase purported “super functional drugs” and extracting significant sums of money from them. This deceitful operation attracted vulnerable elderly clients by offering complimentary health seminars and small tokens of appreciation.
The woman, identified by her surname Wang, disclosed that her mother had received a late-stage breast cancer diagnosis towards the end of 2021.Subsequently, they were introduced to a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner inWuhan, located in Hubei province, central China, who professed expertise in cancer treatment, as reported by the news portal TheCover.
Wang and her mother traveled to meet this individual, identified by the surname Yu, at his Dongyusanbao Tumor Research Institute. Yu claimed to have developed a medicine capable of eliminating cancer cells and even provided them with what appeared to be plausible patent documents and award certificates.
Wang’s mother promptly purchased the initial batch of liquid medication from Yu at a cost of 20,000 yuan (around $2,700), which he claimed needed to be taken orally. Over the course of a year, Wang revealed that she and her mother made six trips from their home in northeastern Liaoning province to Wuhan, incurring a total expense of over 200,000 yuan.
In addition to administering oral medication to the elderly woman, Yu also conducted numerous injections into her breasts to induce bleeding, according to Wang. However, the most perplexing aspect of his treatment soon emerged.
“He told my mother to apply cement mixed with lime on the skin under her armpits, saying this could help shrink lumps. My mother followed his instructions but her skin festered after doing it for two months,” Wang said.
In April of this year, the mother’s health took a turn for the worse, and local medical professionals delivered the heartbreaking news that cancer cells had metastasized throughout her body. Despite this grim prognosis, Yu reassured them that this was a normal progression and urged them not to be concerned, persuading the mother to persist with his medication. Tragically, Wang’s mother passed away in June.
It was subsequently revealed that Yu, in a later admission, lacked any medical qualifications, as did his institute.
“I am not practising medicine. I just sold them health-enhancing products. My method of bloodletting is aimed at promoting good health, it is not acupuncture,” Yu said.
Furthermore, he acknowledged that the certificates and documents he had presented to Wang and her mother had been purchased online for a nominal sum.
The authorities are currently conducting an ongoing investigation into the matter.
Instances of medical fraud are unfortunately widespread in China. As an example, in September, the police in Beijing apprehended 41 individuals for defrauding senior citizens, convincing them to purchase purported “super functional drugs” and extracting significant sums of money from them. This deceitful operation attracted vulnerable elderly clients by offering complimentary health seminars and small tokens of appreciation.
