Report: Factories Manufacturing Fake COVID-19 Vaccines In South Africa & China Dismantled

Police in China and South Africa have seized thousands of fake doses of the COVID-19 vaccine shots, said the global police organisation Interpol.

The International police agency says 400 vials containing fake vaccine found at a warehouse outside the South African capital Johannesburg.

Interpol

According to the Interpol report, officers also recovered fake masks and arrested three Chinese citizens and a Zambian national.

¡°Since COVID-19 reached the shores of South Africa, the government has adopted an integrated multi-disciplinary law enforcement approach,¡± said Brigadier Vish Naidoo, South African national police spokesperson, according to the Interpol statement.

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¡°This, together with our association with counterparts from all Interpol member countries, is proving to be very effective as we have seen in the arrests for foreign nationals attempting to peddle fake vaccines to unsuspecting people within South Africa.¡±

In China, police successfully identified a network selling counterfeit COVID-19 vaccines in an investigation supported by Interpol, they raided the manufacturing premises resulting in the arrest of some 80 suspects and seized more than 3,000 fake vaccines on the scene.

"Following our warning that criminals would target the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, both on and offline, INTERPOL continues to provide its full support to national authorities working to protect the health and safety of their citizens.

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"These arrests, underline the unique role of INTERPOL in bringing together key players from both the public and private sectors to protect public safety."

The International Criminal Police Organization hasn't ruled out making more arrests as it continues to investigate more locations brewing fake vaccines.

Interpol

Interpol said it was also receiving additional reports of fake vaccine distribution at nursing homes.

¡°No approved vaccines are currently available for sale online. Any vaccine being advertised on websites or the dark web will not be legitimate, will not have been tested, and may be dangerous,¡± the statement said.

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As they continuing to work with police forces around the world to combat such scams, the organization also urged consumers to be vigilant, as there no approved vaccines currently available for sale online ¡°Anyone who buys these drugs is putting themselves at risk and giving their money to organised criminals.¡±