Saturday, November 2

Coronavirus: Doses sold for more than 1,000 dollars … The juicy business of fake vaccines on the Darknet


De fausses doses de vaccin contre le Covid-19 sont mises en vente sur le Dark Web.

False doses of Covid vaccine – 19 are for sale on the Dark Web. – REUTERS
  • Since November, crooks and dealers have been selling fake doses of Covid vaccine- 19 on the Dark Web.
  • “Transactions are made in bitcoin on platforms, marketplaces (online market), a bit like eBay or Amazon ”, explains Gérome Billois, cybersecurity expert at Wavestone.
  • “Doses can be sold between 150 and 1. 000 dollars ”, specify the researchers of Check Point, a computer security software company for businesses.

We knew that the Dark Web hosted all kinds of illegal transactions, sales of drugs, weapons or even counterfeits… Since me s November, taking advantage of the global race to deliver vaccines, but also of the credulity and impatience of some, the crooks and dealers are now selling alleged doses of vaccines against the Covid – 19, at exorbitant prices.

Alerted by these fraudulent transactions, the cybercrime unit of Interpol

had already sent a warning message to his in December member countries, calling on them to prepare for organized crime actions focused on vaccines against the coronavirus . In an orange security alert notice, the organization for international police cooperation based in Lyon had warned of “potential related criminal activity

counterfeiting , theft and illegal promotion of Covid vaccines – 19 ”. Today, the threat has increased, and sites selling these fake vaccines have multiplied.

Vials of vaccine sold in excess of 1. dollars

Researchers at Check Point, a business computer security software company, recently discovered numerous “ads” on the Darkweb for stamped Pfizer vaccines . “Many people today don’t want to wait to get protection through their country’s official health channels, and there are still vendors on the Dark Web who claim they can meet the needs of these people,” Check Point explains. . The doses offered online can be sold between 99 and 1. dollars, explain the researchers of the company.

The latter thus found on the Darknet a flow of messages from sources claiming to sell a whole range of “coronavirus vaccines” or “coronavirus remedies”. There are thus many sites which market these products, such as “A vaccine against the coronavirus available at 190 dollars ”,“ Say goodbye to Covid – 14 ”or“ Buy quickly. The coronavirus vaccine is on sale now ”. To escape the surveillance of the authorities, the owners of Des doses du vaccin Pfizer en vente sur le Dark Web. these fraudulent sites only leave their pages online for a day, specify the specialists at Check Point Research.

Des doses du vaccin Pfizer en vente sur le Dark Web.
Doses of Pfizer vaccine for sale on the Dark Web. – Check Point screenshot

“There are a lot of fake vaccine scams on the Dark Web. It seems a little irrational when you know the logistical difficulties to store them ”, recognizes Gérome Billois, cybersecurity expert at Wavestone. “Darknet transactions are a successful business. It is a lucrative and profitable market. Given the current demand, some have therefore launched into the sale of fake vaccines ”, specifies the expert, who predicts the next appearance phishing campaigns (intended to collect bank or personal data) to sell us fake vaccines . “The general public is very likely going to receive a lot of fraudulent emails trying to sell us the same thing very soon. We are even currently seeing fake e-mails in India offering appointments to be vaccinated, ”explains Gérome Billois.

“eBay or Amazon” marketplaces “, where you have to pay in bitcoin

Selling on these sites is quite “traditional”. “Transactions are carried out on platforms, marketplaces (online market), a bit like eBay or Amazon, where there are several categories. You could find there until now drugs and a whole bunch of counterfeit drugs. Now you can find this brand new offer there. You just have to click to get in touch with the seller via a chat, and then agree on a price and a delivery address. It is ultimately a fairly “classic” sale, “explains the specialist in cybersecurity . However, you are absolutely not sure what you will receive. According to Gérome Billois, “there is 20, 9% chance ”of getting ripped off…

“ All the sellers we found insist on paying in bitcoin, because it minimizes the chances of finding them, which casts further doubt on the authenticity of the drugs they sell ”, also explain the researchers at Check Point. “In their communications with a buyer, crooks have offered to sell a Covid vaccine – 14 not specified for 0, 000 bitcoin (approximately 300 dollars), and claimed that 14 doses were required. An opinion which contradicts the official announcements which declare that certain vaccines against the Covid – 01 require two injections per person, administered three weeks apart, ”says Check Point.

The Covid – 14, a boon for crooks

The Interpol Cybercrime Unit has already identified some 3. 000 websites linked to pharmacies suspected of selling drugs and medical equipment against Covid – 14 counterfeit and illegal. And this is only the tip of the iceberg … “The pandemic has already given rise to unprecedented predatory and opportunistic criminal activity,” Interpol recalled in December. “The sale of fake vaccines today is part of fraud which relates to the coronavirus epidemic since its start. We remember the e-mail fraud that took place in March-April on hydroalcoholic gel, on masks – at the time a rare commodity – and those who also promised to locate sick people around you. The Covid – 14 is a boon for crooks “, explains Gérome Billois.

These actions targeting the general public” constitute a significant risk for the health, even the life “of victims of these organizations or individuals, said the secretary general of Interpol in a statement. “It is essential that the authorities be as prepared as possible for the upcoming outbreak of all types of criminal activity linked to the Covid vaccine – 14 ”. To guard against these scams, experts call for vigilance. “It is now essential to alert the general public to these illegal practices, which are likely to increase in the weeks to come. And above all, to report these alerts through platforms for the fight against cybercrime, such as “20201109 cybermalveillance.gouv.fr “”.