The auction find that led me down a rabbit hole of South African fraud!

I have just listed an APS (Action Potential Stimulation) Therapy machine on my online auction site. It is supposed to help alleviate pain, especially neurological pain, and was invented by an ordinary electrician, Gervan Lubbe in the 1990's, who is now serving a 20 year sentence for fraud, though not related to his APS Therapy machine invention.

During the 1990's, before internet use was common, I was an avid magazine reader, and I remember following the story of Gervan Lubbe quite closely, though all the details are a bit fuzzy now, and there is not all that much on his personal life online now. I do remember the high acclaim for his invention of the APS Therapy machine, and the reports  of his ensuing wealth, and relationship issues. The machines were expensive, and a lot of South Africans purchased them, especially after they were endorsed by famous heart surgeon, Chris Barnard, who credited it with helping so much with his rheumatoid arthritis that he could return to practicing surgery.

 

The APS Therapy machines are still being actively marketed and sold. Under What is APS Therapy is the following information:

" APS Therapy is a form of electrotherapy (nerve stimulation) which causes significant biochemical reactions on cellular-level. The substances which are then released have an analgesic, anti-inflammatory and healing effect in the affected tissue. "

I found one osteopathy site which sang the praises of the machine, especially for neurological pain and multiple sclerosis, though qualified their praises by saying it did not work for everybody. I can see the machine I have must have been well used as, although carefully cared for, the suitcase in which it comes is quite worn, and the zippers are broken, indicating a lot of use. I have listed it for sale for R950 ($79), but it costs about R5500 ($459) new.

Image: http://www.quackdown.info/article/gervan-lubbe-fraudster-who-promoted-pseudo-science-and-media-believed-him/

It seems the inventing bug bit Gervan Lubbe hard, and his next invention was a malaria detection watch. Unfortunately the wheels fell off and the Weekend Post detailed his scheme:

" Lubbe’s scheme involved selling shares in his company by convincing investors and directors he would publish a tell-all autobiography titled Full Disclosure, produce the groundbreaking malaria-detecting watch and launch an upgraded version of his award-winning APS pain management device. Neither the book nor the products ever materialised and Lubbe was accused of using investment capital as his "own personal piggy bank". 

In March 2012 Gervan Lubbe was sentenced to an effective 20 years in jail by the Commercial Crimes Court in Port Elizabeth.

The APS Therapy Machine was given FDA clearance in the USA, and this fact is much touted, though apparently there is a difference between FDA clearance and FDA approval, which is held to a higher standard. Are there any readers here who have tried using the machine, or know people who have used it, I am interested in feedback.

@onetree

Sources:

https://www.apstherapy.co.za/about/

https://osteofm.com/2016/10/04/who-needs-a-medical-degree-2-neuropathic-pain-relieved-by-bloke-with-a-shed-in-south-africa/

http://www.quackdown.info/article/gervan-lubbe-fraudster-who-promoted-pseudo-science-and-media-believed-him/

https://businesstech.co.za/news/general/72826/gimmicks-that-took-south-africans-for-a-ride/