Illegal sale of hydroalcoholic gel and protective masks, fake drugs, proposals for testing “experimental vaccines” that do not actually exist, fake online kitties… For almost a month, France has been confronted with scams linked to the coronavirus pandemic. Covid-19.
- The health crisis inspires crooks of all kinds
- Sale of gel, masks, medicines or even teleconsultations can hide scams
While France is strongly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, which has already contaminated more than 78,167 people and caused at least 10,328 deaths on the territory, the country is also plagued by an increase in scams linked to the new coronavirus.
“With the Covid-19 crisis, we are seeing false sites for the sale of surgical masks (FFP2), hydroalcoholic gel, medical teleconsultations, miracle drugs or experimental vaccines which obviously do not exist and which do not have other goals than to defraud you, wrote the government on its website on March 16, calling on the French to redouble their vigilance in terms of cybersecurity. Cybercriminals could even deliver expired or counterfeit products to you that would endanger your health or that of your loved ones..”
Scams on the internet, but not only
Another object of the scams: chloroquine, a central antimalarial in the experimental treatment of Professor Didier Raoult, the reliability of which is hotly debated in France. Investigators from the Central Office for combating damage to the environment and public health (OCLAESP) thus note the appearance of sites offering chloroquine at one euro per unit.
If “iThe internet is the privileged place to sell drugs illegally”as stated by Ludovic Ehrhart, the deputy head of OCLAESP, to France info, it is also necessary to be wary outside the screens. For example, a pharmacist will be tried at the end of next June for having sold several hundred homeopathic preparations of his own between March 16 and 26. Called “Epidemic 19”, they were presented as being “preventive” or “curative”, depending on the customers.
Protect yourself against Covid-19 scams
The Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Prevention (DGCCRF) reminds some key points to protect against scams related to the new coronavirus. First, keep in mind that there is no vaccine, drug or remedy to cure Covid-19, and that any presentation of products claiming the contrary “is a deceptive commercial practice.”
Similarly, screening tests can only be carried out by health authorities; there are therefore no screening kits directly accessible to citizens. Distrust also: the decontamination of private accommodation is not yet planned by the State. “People claiming compulsory decontamination are not authorized to do so and seek to enter your home fraudulently”warns the DGCCRF.
Professionals, also targeted by scammers
If individuals seem to be easier targets for scammers, professionals are also affected by these scams. Indeed, since mid-March, the Central Office for the Suppression of Serious Financial Crime (OCRGDF) identifies the presence of organized groups of criminals posing as traditional suppliers of hydroalcoholic gels and masks to hospitals, nursing homes, or even pharmacies. After contacting these establishments, the criminals ask them for a deposit for any order placed with them.
This is how the pharmaceutical company Cerp Rouen was relieved of 6.6 million euros by a phantom company, for the purchase of masks and hydroalcoholic gel. A preliminary investigation was opened on March 16 for “fraud” as well as “forgery and use of forgery”.
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