Conviction in Making-People-Taller Scam

(Jerusalem) P.T. Barnum was right. There is a sucker born every minute and a number of them bought into a scam by an Israeli man, Simon Sofer, who sold medical treatments to make people taller. As an added service, Sofer also advertised penile-lengthening treatments, however, he claims none were performed. He offered enhancements of 3.9 inches to their height or 2.4 inches to their genitals.

Sofer started his business in 1999, charging upwards of $5,000, to make customers taller. They were "suspended from the air by their arms and legs, or had their bodies stretched with weights. Others were poked with needles or given food supplements and exercises to perform at home." It's assumed some sort of pulling apparatus was also destined for use in penile enlargement. Eeeuwww!

Unfortunately for Sofer, none of the scam worked and he was prosecuted for operating a fake medical clinic. The Israeli court sentenced him to two years in prison. Sofer was treated leniently because he had no prior criminal record and he lives with his mommy.