Image: FT
Faizel Patel – 24/03/2021
A Check Point Research report has revealed a sharp increase in adverts for COVID-19 vaccines from the Darknet.
As the global rollout of COVID-19 vaccinations continues to accelerate, only around 1% of the world’s population have received their jabs, while billions are still waiting for their first dose, which inevitably leads those people to question exactly when they will get it.
In January Checkpoint reported a range of counterfeit coronavirus vaccines are offered, often touted from just $500 per dose.
“In recent weeks our researchers have spotted an increasing amount of advertisements for vaccines within Darknet markets: currently numbering over 1,200, with sellers based in the U.S. and European countries including Spain, Germany, France and Russia – This represents over a 300% increase since January 2021.”
Checkpoint says the vaccines advertised include Oxford – AstraZeneca (at $500), Johnson & Johnson ($600), the Russian Sputnik vaccine ($600) and the Chinese SINOPHARM vaccine
According to the report, vendors are also offering a range of fake vaccination certificates and negative test results to people who need proof of either.
Checkpoint says as COVID-19 is likely to play a major role in dictating what we as individuals can and cannot do in our daily lives for the foreseeable future.
“Countries’ Governments should be aware of this fast-growing illegal and dangerous trend for fake vaccination certificates and “official” medical records being sold and produced to whoever wishes to pay for them. “
The darknet, also known as the dark web, is a portion of the internet that is only accessible through specific browser tools.
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