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Fake El Cerrito Doctor Allegedly Charged Cancer Patient $2,000 For Bag Of Dirt

RICHMOND (CBS SF) — Investigators are seeking people who may have been scammed by a Bay Area man arrested last week for practicing medicine without a license at a fake cancer treatment office.

The Contra Costa Times reports that 69-year-old Vincent Gammill is scheduled to appear in Ventura County Superior Court on Aug. 31 in connection with his fake cancer-treatment clinic at a Richmond office.

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The investigation by the Ventura County Interagency Pharmaceutical Crimes Unit and the Contra Costa Sheriff's Office began last month when a 49-year-old Thousand Oaks woman told deputies of the scam.

The woman, who has late-stage cancer, told deputies she saw his website and decided to seek his services.

He reportedly gave her plastic baggies containing various powders, expired medication, and at least one bag of dirt.

He told her how to mix the compounds, and allegedly told her if it burned her stomach that was good -- it meant it was working.

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On July 9, deputies served a search warrant at Gammill's home and found bottles labeled "corrosive" and "poison." They also found 25-thousand prescription pills, including morphine, steroids, and Mexican and Russian prescription pills.

Anyone who may have been a victim of Gammill's allegedly illegal medical practice is encouraged to contact the Contra Costa County sheriff.

TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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