The "dark web" stores have promoted an alleged vaccine for the Coronavirus, and the number of fraudsters has doubled to meet the demands of the people most feared by the epidemic.
Writers Elie Julian and Damien Licata Caruso said in a report published by the French newspaper "Le Parisien" that 10% of the products offered on the 25 largest dark web stores are related to the Corona virus.
It seems that the delay in the launch of the vaccination campaign in France has exacerbated this phenomenon.
Like other products related to the Coronavirus, the Covid-19 vaccine is now sold on the dark web that millions of people use, and it is known to sell weapons and drugs.
Just a trick
The two writers emphasized that it is clear that the availability of the Covid-19 vaccine on this network is a hoax, at a time when no theft of vaccines has been recorded.
The International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) discovered this phenomenon at the beginning of last December, and member states (194 countries) warned of the existence of criminal activity linked to fraud, theft and the illegal promotion of Covid-19 vaccines.
The two writers quoted Xavier Duruz, Technical Director of Check Point Software, a company that specializes in cybersecurity.
Last November, after the first announcement of the reliability of some vaccines by the giants of the industry, we noticed the emergence of nearly a thousand new sites selling the vaccine on the dark web.
The price of these doses starts from $ 250 and reaches one thousand dollars, and all transactions are done in Bitcoin digital currency (Shutterstock)
Resale stores
Antoine Violet Surcouf, General Manager of Avisa Partners, a company that specializes in Internet fraud, says:
"Although the offers are not as varied as is the case with other drugs, resale shops have become present. These websites are promoting a range of vaccines on the basis that they are Chinese or Russian vaccines."
One dark Internet vaccine resale store introduces itself as a Chinese research institute ready to send a sample of it around the world.
The price of these doses exceeds $ 250, and can reach one thousand dollars, knowing that all transactions are carried out using Bitcoin digital currency.
According to the fraud specialist, "These fraudsters are taking advantage of the increased need and statements that cause fear and anxiety. They are constantly aware of the latest developments, which helps them to make offers and meet the demand. Their main goal remains to collect as much data as possible about people who are easily deceived."
Observe the parallel world
A group of about 200 people was formed to monitor this parallel world and sound the alarm, and this group realized that chloroquine is being sold and false certificates of polymerase chain reaction tests needed to travel, or even blood bags from Covid-19 patients.
"We are aware that there are purchases, as people receive e-mails confirming the delivery of the vaccine to the home," says Durres. "But how many people are caught in the trap? The United States is more affected than France; buyers are deceived in all cases, and no There is no doubt that the people receiving the doses have been exposed to an obvious fraud. "
Look at developments
"Medicines are offered here that can only be obtained with a prescription, and I'm not surprised that there are fake vaccines that target only stupid consumers," says a young man - Tristan, a regular user of the Dark Web.
"In order to avoid being overthrown by the web police, fantasy vendors leave their dark web sites active for only a week, and sometimes for a day before creating another, so that it is difficult to track them down," Durrose said.
According to the penal code adopted in France, "fraudulent extraction, possession, duplication and transmission of data" results in imprisonment for up to 5 years and a fine of 150,000 euros ($ 184).
Dr. Jean-Jacques Fraslin: You should be crazy to buy a vaccine that can be stored at a temperature of 80 degrees below zero (German)
This phenomenon worries health professionals.
Dr. Jean-Jacques Fraslin says, "You should be crazy to buy a vaccine that can be stored at a temperature of 80 degrees below zero, and the post office at the present time does not provide such services, but some are willing to pay fancy sums to get the vaccine first."
According to Dr. Fraslin, there are no guarantees that the vaccines offered for sale are effective due to intensive monitoring of everything that leaves the factories.
However, in the future, smuggling of these drugs is expected.
In fact, the use of the dark web to promote some fake drugs heralds a shift in the attention of regular drug sellers to a new, more attractive economy, the economy of fear of the epidemic.