European Union&rsquos law enforcement agency Europol has warned travellers to not fall prey to criminal circuits and groups trying to sell fake coronavirus vaccines and fake negative test results.
A warning issued by Europol recently, stated that several organised crime gangs are trying to loop in travellers who might be looking for a negative COVID-19 test result.
Some fraudsters were caught in the UK selling fake COVID-19 test documents and reports, for about 100 pounds. These documents had faked the names of genuine existing laboratories or were entirely false.
Several suspects selling these fake documents in the UK and France have been busted by intelligence officials. The mode of operation for these crime gangs is messaging apps and chat groups based in Spain and Netherlands.
Owing to the travel restrictions and bans at most of the countries in the world currently, these fraudsters have an easy and quick opportunity at making money through scamming travellers. With the advancement of technology and editing applications, forging and printing high quality counterfeited documents has become easier at an affordable price.
Similar is the case with vaccines and treatments claiming to be designed for COVID-19. Unproven and illegally marketed products are on a rise and it is suggestible to stay alert in the face of such fraudulent practices.