American Greed: Scams, Scoundrels and Scandals Season 13 Episode 8 Diagnosis: Temptress Health Scam

In season 13 episode 8 of American Greed: Scams, Scoundrels and Scandals, titled Diagnosis: Temptress Health Scam, viewers are taken inside the world of a multi-million dollar healthcare scam that played out in the heart of the United States. The episode chronicles the rise and fall of a group of scammers who bilked unsuspecting patients out of their life savings and jeopardized their health in the process.

The scam at the center of the episode focused on a medical device called the iGenX Wellness System, which its creators claimed could detect up to 50 different diseases with just a single blood sample. But instead of using the device to help patients, its marketers and sellers used deceptive and high-pressure tactics to convince vulnerable individuals to invest in the device or even undergo unnecessary treatments. These treatments included infusions of ozone gas, hydrogen peroxide, and other unproven substances, which not only had the potential to cause harm but were also not covered by insurance, leaving many patients with exorbitant medical bills they could not afford.

The episode introduces viewers to some of the key players in the scam, including the mastermind behind it all, Shaun Thaxter, a British pharmaceutical executive who moved to Utah to launch his own company, iGenX. Thaxter set up a team of salespeople who were trained to use fear tactics to convince patients that traditional doctors weren't telling them the whole truth about their health. The sales team used a combination of bogus test results and high-pressure sales tactics to convince patients to purchase the iGenX device for upwards of $8,000.

But the scam didn't stop there. To generate more revenue, the iGenX team began offering additional treatments and therapies that had no proven efficacy or were outright dangerous. For example, they sold "anti-aging" treatments involving injections of ozone gas, which can cause damage to the lungs and other organs. They also sold IV infusions of hydrogen peroxide, which can cause severe burns if not properly administered. These treatments were marketed as being able to treat a variety of ailments, from cancer to Lyme disease, but in reality, they had no scientific basis and put patients at risk.

Throughout the episode, viewers see the devastating impact that the iGenX scam had on victims, many of whom were desperate for a solution to their health problems. One patient, who was told he had multiple sclerosis and sold nearly $20,000 worth of iGenX treatments, later discovered he did not actually have the disease. Another patient was convinced by iGenX salespeople to undergo a risky procedure to remove her breast implants, which she was told were causing her health problems. The procedure left her disfigured and in even worse health than before.

The episode also delves into the investigation and eventual prosecution of the iGenX team. As federal agents began to uncover evidence of the scam, they discovered that Thaxter and his team had gone to great lengths to cover their tracks, including setting up shell companies and using aliases to hide their activities. But ultimately, Thaxter was arrested and charged with multiple counts of fraud and money laundering. In 2020, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and was sentenced to six years in prison.

Overall, Diagnosis: Temptress Health Scam is a cautionary tale of the dangers of healthcare scams, and serves as a reminder to always be skeptical of treatments or medications that seem too good to be true. The episode also highlights the importance of law enforcement efforts to uncover and prosecute those who would take advantage of vulnerable individuals for their own financial gain.