A variety of COVID-19 vaccine validations are being sold on the dark web at increasingly lower prices, according to a new report from Check Point Research.
Researchers have found that the prices of EU digital COVID certificates, CDC and NHS Covid vaccine cards have dropped to $ 100. The fake PCR COVID-19 test is also widely available, and a Check Point Research study found a group of more than 450,000 people promoting fake vaccine validation.
The report attributed “most” of these fake vaccine validations to groups throughout Europe.
A previous report from the company in March found that fake vaccine passports cost about $ 250 on the dark web, and fraudulent advertising has reached a new level.
Researchers can now find fake certificates sold by groups and people in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Italy, France, Switzerland, Pakistan and Indonesia.
There were many samples of UK NHS certificates and EU digital COVID certificates used in multiple countries.
A sample of a fake COVID-19 vaccine card is available.
Check Point Research
Check Point Research said, “The number of followers and subscribers to groups and channels that provide and promote COVID-19 certification and other means of avoiding the need to physically obtain vaccines has increased exponentially. I reported.
“The ad specifically states that the seller” provides a registered vaccine certificate for everyone who does not want to be vaccinated … “, the report said.
“The channel we found provides a’service’and details the actual impact. “Our card allows us to travel and work.” Sellers often state that the certificate is “verified” and invite the buyer to take simple steps to place an order-you. All you need to do is “let us know what country you are from and what you want.”
According to the report, the group contacts via email, WhatsApp, Telegram and usually asks for payment in some cryptocurrency (mainly Bitcoin, Monero, Dogecoin, etc.). The group also accepts payments by PayPal.
In their ad, the group explicitly includes a statement of an anti-COVID-19 vaccine that discourages people from taking it and portraying themselves as protecting the world.
The report states, “You don’t have to take a jab (vaccine) to get a certificate”, “We are here to save the world from this toxic vaccine”, “This away from the vaccine” Save as you continue to fight. “
Check Point Research proposes to create a secure internal control repository where countries can retain official COVID-19 testing and vaccination data and prove vaccine validation using QR codes and more. doing.
The surge in demand for fake vaccine passports and cards is due to hundreds of companies forcing employees and customers to present evidence of COVID-19 vaccination before entering the office or company. is. Even the US Army announced this week that it would need the COVID-19 vaccine.
Regulations have created a major backlash in dozens of countries as the anti-COVID-19 vaccine movement is gaining momentum. Check Point Research found that approximately 30% to 40% of respondents were vaccinated against COVID-19, despite the recent surge due to the more infectious delta variant of COVID-19, according to studies in France, Germany and the United States. Indicates that you are not planning to inoculate.
The COVID-19 vaccination drive has been stalled in many Western countries in recent weeks. About 1.3 billion people are vaccinated against COVID-19, which is more than 15% of the world’s total.
Interpol Secretary-General Jurgen Stock said in December that law enforcement agencies need to be ready to deal with the wave of facial and sham vaccine validation.
“Crime networks can also target unsuspecting civilians through fake websites and fake treatments, pose a significant risk to their health and even life,” Stock said. Said.
“It is imperative that law enforcement agencies prepare as much as possible against the onslaught of criminal activity of all kinds related to the COVID-19 vaccine, and Interpol issued this global warning.