Lyon (AFP)
Interpol on Wednesday sent a warning message to its 194 member countries, called on to prepare for organized crime actions focused on coronavirus vaccines.
In an orange security alert notice, the international police cooperation organization based in Lyon warns of "potential criminal activity linked to counterfeiting, theft and illegal promotion of vaccines against Covid-19 and influenza" .
"The pandemic has already given rise to unprecedented predatory and opportunistic criminal activity", recalls Interpol, referring to having already observed "the promotion, sale and administration of fake vaccines" against the coronavirus.
“As several Covid-19 vaccines approach approval and wide distribution, it will be crucial to ensure the security of the supply chain and identify illicit websites that sell counterfeit products ", warns the organization.
These actions aimed at the general public "constitute a significant risk for the health, even the life" of the victims of these organizations or individuals, underlines in a press release the secretary general of Interpol Jürgen Stock.
"It is essential that the authorities be as prepared as possible for the upcoming outbreak of all types of criminal activity related to the Covid-19 vaccine," he adds.
Likewise, Interpol calls on its members to be vigilant in the face of the risk of circulation of false tests, the use of which may increase with the imminent resumption of international travel.
Interpol's cybercrime unit recently identified some 3,000 websites linked to pharmacies suspected of selling counterfeit and illegal drugs and medical equipment.
"To avoid falling into the trap of these online scams, it is important to remain vigilant and cautious about offers that most of the time seem too good to be true", further warns the organization.
© 2020 AFP