Since the outbreak of the corona pandemic, false doctors, usurers and cybercriminals have been causing more and more trouble in Switzerland. The investigative authorities are therefore stepping up their efforts.
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Fake e-mails from the Federal Office of Public Health or fraud on internet platforms: criminals are trying to take advantage of the emergency.
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A colorless liquid in spray bottles is said to work wonders. Labels with the words “Corona-Killer” stick on the green, blue and violet containers. However, the trade in an alleged virus-killer on an internet platform ended for a 30-year-old Swiss and a 39-year-old Serb with the arrest on Friday morning.
Because one of the buyers was a police officer. The investigator arranged a meeting with the provider of the alleged miracle drug. At the apartment in the Winterthur district, the Serb gave the ordered goods to the police officer, then the handcuffs clicked.
When the apartment is subsequently searched, the investigators ensure the products offered on the Internet as well as other liquids, empty containers and labels. The Forensic Institute now has to clarify exactly what was in the bottles.
The two suspected fraudsters were released after the survey. However, criminal proceedings are now being brought against them for fraud and possibly for violating the Chemicals Act.
Fehr describes behavior as disgusting
The corona virus has kept Switzerland firmly under control for weeks. In the meantime, the health authorities have already registered over 6000 infected people. Criminals are also trying to take advantage of the emergency situation. Since the beginning of the outbreak, fraudsters, usurers and cybercriminals have been in increasing numbers.
The Zurich Cantonal Police has therefore increased its efforts in the fight against fraudsters. Zurich security director Mario Fehr (sp.) Says the police are currently focusing more on criminals who are trying to take advantage of the current emergency situation through fraud or massively inflated prices. “The forces act with determination against such people.” Fehr describes the behavior of the perpetrators not only as absolutely irresponsible, but also as unbearable and disgusting.
The harsher procedure is also evident in this case: On Thursday evening, the police in Horgen arrested a young man who wanted to sell protective masks on the Internet at horrific prices. The police became aware of an advertisement in which the 18-year-old offered the masks “at completely inflated prices”. Instead of 50 centimes per piece, the suspected usurer offered five protective masks for a total of around 200 francs.
Usury is not simply morally unclean behavior, but a criminal offense. Who against Article 157 of the Swiss Criminal Code violated, can be fined or imprisoned for up to five years.
Fake doctors want money
But criminals don’t just do business with overpriced goods and false promises. Telephone fraudsters and cyber criminals have recently started using the corona virus. The Zurich Cantonal Police recently warned on Twitter of fraudsters pretending to be doctors to get their victims’ money.
During the telephone conversation, the perpetrators try to persuade those affected to either deposit cash for a representative or to pass on their bank details. The criminals used the same trick in the past. At the time, they just didn’t act as a doctor or health official, but as a police officer or granddaughter.
Despite warnings from the police, many are still falling for the fraud: this year, the perpetrators stole over half a million francs from those affected in the canton of Zurich alone – in most cases, the victims were pensioners.
«Do not open, delete immediately»
Cybercriminals are also using the current corona pandemic for their attacks. Already last week, the Federal Reporting and Analysis Center for Information Assurance (Melani) warned of a fake email on behalf of the Federal Office of Public Health (BAG).
The criminals hid behind an innocent subject line. With «Switzerland Corona Virus Cases: Find out how many are near you», the fraudsters try to lure the recipients of the email into a trap.
The attached file did not contain the latest figures on the spread of the corona virus in Switzerland, but rather malware. If the attachment is opened, the malware is installed in secret. This gives attackers full access to the computer and passwords can be read out.
According to the Zurich Justice Director Jacqueline Fehr, the fraudulent activities are expected to increase in the next few weeks. She said this at a government council press conference earlier this week. The risk of falling for the fairly well imitated emails is particularly high for older people. Fehr therefore appealed: “Do not open, delete immediately and certainly not click on the links.”
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