News
Interpol Raises Alarm Over Fake COVID-19 Vaccine Supply
The International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) says some criminal gangs are planning to supply fake COVID-19 vaccine to unsuspecting members of the public.
Globally, 65 million COVID-19 cases have been recorded with nearly 1.5 million deaths.
Breakthrough has been achieved in search for and production of vaccines globally, with the United Kingdom has approved the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for public use.
On Wednesday, in a statement titled “Interpol Warns of Organised Crime Threat to COVID-19 Vaccines”, Jürgen Stock, Interpol secretary-general, there are plans to sell fake COVID-19 vaccines, thereby disrupting the supply chain and endangering lives.
Stock said law enforcement agencies in various countries must be at alert.
He said the criminal gangs will target unsuspecting members of the public via fake websites and false cures.
“As governments are preparing to roll out vaccines, criminal organisations are planning to infiltrate or disrupt supply chains,” the statement reads.
“Criminal networks will also be targeting unsuspecting members of the public via fake websites and false cures, which could pose a significant risk to their health, even their lives.
“It is essential that law enforcement is as prepared as possible for what will be an onslaught of all types of criminal activity linked to the COVID-19 vaccine, which is why Interpol has issued this global warning.”
The global police organisation said an analysis by its cybercrime unit revealed that of 3,000 websites associated with online pharmacies suspected of selling illicit medicines and medical devices, around 1,700 contained cyber threats, especially phishing and spamming malware.
It urged members of the public to adopt caution during online searches for medical equipment or medicines.
Advertise or Publish a Story on EkoHot Blog:
Kindly contact us at [email protected]. Breaking stories should be sent to the above email and substantiated with pictorial evidence.
Citizen journalists will receive a token as data incentive.
Call or Whatsapp: 0803 561 7233, 0703 414 5611
