South African authorities seized around 2,400 doses of fake Covid-19 vaccines, after an Interpol alert on Wednesday.

In addition, a network of counterfeit vaccines has been dismantled in China.

Interpol specifies that this is only "the tip of the iceberg", and warns against the dangerousness of these serums. 

About 2,400 doses of fake vaccines have been seized in South Africa, while a network of counterfeit vaccines has been dismantled in China, Interpol announced on Wednesday, warning that it was only "the emerging face of the 'iceberg".

"Authorities in South Africa have seized hundreds of fake vaccines against Covid-19 after an alert from Interpol, which warned that vaccines would be the preferred target of criminal networks," he said. international organization for police cooperation based in Lyon.

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Four arrests

Three Chinese nationals and a Zambian were arrested during this operation, carried out in Germiston (Gauteng province), which also allowed the discovery of a "large quantity of counterfeit masks".

In addition, Interpol provided assistance to China, where the police "identified a sales network for counterfeit Covid-19 vaccines and took over the manufacturing premises, leading to the arrest of 80 suspects and the seizure of more of 3,000 false vaccines on the spot ".


"Although we welcome this result, it is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to crime linked to the anti-Covid-19 vaccine," said Interpol secretary general Jürgen Stock, quoted in the press release.

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Vaccines that can "be dangerous"

"These arrests underscore the unique role of Interpol in bringing together key players from both the public and private sectors to protect public safety," added Jürgen Stock.

Interpol again warns against unauthorized vaccines which are currently offered for sale on the internet.

"Any vaccine promoted on websites or on the 'darknet' will not be legitimate, will not have been tested and may be dangerous," one warns.