Thousands Received Fake COVID-19 Vaccines Containing Salt Water In India

• India was ravaged by a second wave of COVID-19 between April and early June, which infected millions and killed tens of thousands nationwide

Thousands of people have fallen prey to an elaborate wide-ranging scam selling fake COVID-19 vaccines in India, with doctors and medical workers among those arrested for their involvement, authorities have said. 

At least 12 fake vaccination drives were held in or near the financial hub Mumbai, in the country’s western Maharashtra state, said Vishal Thakur, a senior official of the Mumbai police department.

Read also: COVID-19: India Records 4000 Deaths In 24 Hours

“They were using saline water and injecting it,” Thakur said. “Every fake vaccination camp that they held, they were doing this.”

An estimated 2,500 people were given fake shots, he said. The organizers charged their victims fees for the shots, earning up to $28,000 in total.

“We have arrested doctors,” he added. “They were using a hospital which was producing the fake certificates, vials, syringes.”

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

Vietnam Finds New COVID-19 Hybrid Comprising British, Indian Strains

So far, 14 people have been arrested on suspicion of cheating, attempts at culpable homicide, criminal conspiracy, and other charges. More arrests may come as police continue investigating other people involved in the scam, Thakur said.

EKO HOT BLOG