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 (February 3), warning that it was only "
the emergence
of
the face. of the iceberg
”.
Read also: Fake doctors, malicious links, paid numbers ... vaccination scams are on the increase
"
The authorities in South Africa have seized hundreds of fake vaccines against the Covid-19 after an alert from Interpol, which had warned that the vaccines would be the preferred target of criminal networks
", specified the international organization for police cooperation based in Lyon.
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 3000 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, cited in the press release.
“
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 Mr. 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 perhaps dangerous,
" we warn.
