MOWER COUNTY, Minn. — A water softener salesman has been arrested on three felony charges of theft by swindle for allegedly making false claims to an elderly couple regarding health treatments, KAALtv.com reported.

A 70-year-old Mower County resident claims that Ronald Renken, who sold him a water softener several years ago, told him about a technology that could cure his diabetes, the article stated.

The technology, according to Renken, would bounce satellite beams off the man’s body to scientists in Germany, who would adjust the beams’ frequencies to customize the treatment.

Renken convinced the man and his wife to try the treatment, and a week later he called the victim to inform him that his diabetes was cured and he could stop taking medication, according to the story.

Renken then asked the man’s wife if he could scan her body to see how healthy she was.

A few hours later, Renken called to tell the 68-year-old woman she had cancer, the article stated.

Disturbed by the diagnosis, the couple contacted their daughter, who later notified the Mower County Sheriff’s department.

According to investigators, the couple also paid Renken more than $4,000 to install a satellite beam to purify their well water.

“One wants to be sure that if they’re going for a health care service that they’re utilizing someone who is a licensed person or has some sort of requirements relative to their practice,” said Mower County Public Health Director Margene Gunderson.

To read the entire story, click here.