Miracle Water: Ripoff or For Real Part II

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Story Published: Nov 5, 2007 at 10:34 PM MST

Story Updated: Nov 5, 2007 at 10:34 PM MST

By Danielle Leigh

Peter Popoff makes millions by enticing those in need of a miracle, but Popoff is not a new phenomenon.

Over 20 years ago, He was caught in the midst of a scandal.

In the 1980s professional skeptic James Randi didn't believe Popoff's miraculous stage abilities and proved they were fake when he used a radio scanner at one of Popoff's religious crusades.

"Hello Petey, can you hear me? If you can't you're in trouble," says a voice during Popoff's sermon.

Randi says it was the voice of Popoff's wife, Elizabeth.

"She wants to get rid of the walker," says the voice.

"You want to get rid of this walker sister," says Popoff.

Feeding him information taken from prayer cards the audience filled out in advance.

"Whoo, burning this arthritis," says Popoff.

After Randi went public with the fraud, Popoff declared bankruptcy. But he's made a significant comeback with paid infomercials playing on at least five different cable networks.

"I'm pretty disgusted about it," says Clement.

Clement hasn't sent Popoff any money, but he still feels taken.

"And I'm pretty disgusted he's still out there still taking advantage of people," says Clement.

Those IRS documents only outline the millions of dollars people give Popoff's organization here in the US.

He also runs his TV ministry around the globe in Asia, Africa, Europe, and South America. We don't know how much money he's raising there and can't tell where that money is going.

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