The Independent: Crime networks are adapting to the new reality imposed by Corona

The British newspaper The Independent says that criminal networks are beginning to adapt to the new reality imposed by the Corona epidemic inside Britain and around the world, following the profit that the crisis offers, while subjecting to unexpected losses due to internal closures and border closures.

The newspaper quoted ActionForce, a British statutory government agency, as saying that there has been a significant rise in crimes on the Internet, having received more than 100 reports of fraud in the past seven weeks, with losses of nearly a million pounds. City of London police have reported more than 200 reports of fraud attempts in some way related to Corona.

Selling fake materials
And Britain - The Independent says - one of the oldest links to international crimes linked to the pandemic, as the British Frank Ludlow (59 years) was arrested after trying to sell fake devices to test Corona disease and other materials for a number of countries, and was detained after the Los Angeles customs officers arrested 60 packages Fakes described as an "anti-disease treatment" allegedly sent from a post office near his West Sussex home, police said the groups contained potassium thiocyanate and hydrogen peroxide, both of which were extremely harmful if they were used to wash or rinse the mouth.

Generally - The Independent adds - criminal groups in countries that imposed internal closures and restricted movement have begun to experience the new situation, and even homes that the residents have left empty could be vulnerable to new crimes.

Some networks elsewhere have tried to control supplies of much-needed materials, as a network in Hong Kong has begun hijacking toilet paper delivery trucks as demand for them rises.

Human and drug trade
Human traffickers in Central American countries such as Honduras have responded to closing the border by raising prices by claiming that there are greater risks involved now, and despite new obstacles to human trafficking, some analysts believe that the flow to the United States will increase with President Donald Trump's pledge to lift the restrictions of the epidemic in the near future. .

There is a sharp rise in fraud, as the criminal does not have to face victims, says Keith Desham, director of organized crime and police at the British Royal Institute for United Services.

The drug trade is adapting to new restrictions and the closure of clubs, music festivals and big parties, as there will be people stuck in homes, so there may be an increase in personal use, and much of the increase in these crimes will depend on supplies coming to Britain, as many of them come through International container ports that are inspected only by 2% on average.

Theft of medical equipment
The Independent notes the increase in fraud and theft of vital medical goods and equipment in Britain linked to the outbreak, as well as targeting the weak and the elderly, albeit on a limited scale, so far.

The Council of Chiefs of National Police in Britain revealed that there were thefts of oxygen cylinders from hospitals and looting of food banks, and gangs were targeting the elderly in homes, as official cards and signs appear to take money and then disappear, and there were also a series of reports about reports of people being bashed Doors to sell fake hand sanitizers, face masks and even test kits.

Among the examples also were the theft of oxygen and nitrous oxide boxes after penetrating a closed unit in a loading area in Wethington Community Hospital south of Manchester last Saturday. West Yorkshire to close last week after stealing in-kind donations from a storage container, health products, toilet rolls and food.