The international alliance between Interpol, Europol and Ameripol against crimes in this first phase of vaccination in the world identified in Colombia some deception, fraud and illicit drug trade.
Among them, these intelligence agencies detected false portals of government entities in the health sector, created to seize personal data by sending mass emails, in which they request the completion of vaccination forms. This personal information is used for crimes of impersonation and fraud.
Likewise, by sending attachments that are downloaded by people, criminals seek to infect electronic devices such as cell phones and computers, to obtain information related to debit and credit cards.
Another modality detected in our country and other countries in the world occurs through the impersonation of people through WhatsApp, where once the criminals have access to the contacts (after infecting the equipment) they generate a false profile to offer the supposed sale of vaccines for values greater than 100,000 pesos.
The National Police identified and requested the blocking of profiles on social networks and web pages dedicated to the false marketing of vaccines. And in terms of fake news or false news, the institution also verified and validated with official sources the veracity of some false information disseminated on the network about the National Vaccination Plan.
This year, for example, the Police have reported seven false news related to the vaccine, 12 requests to delete content published on social networks that had been generating disinformation, 4 requests to block false web portals used to steal personal data, 86,400 syringes seized in Barranquilla from Asia and 225,585 units of fraudulent drugs seized. Read here: 70 vaccines seized at El Dorado airport irregularly entered the country
Likewise, this year alone, a 400% increase in the supply of supposed vaccines, especially Russian, Chinese and Israeli, has been detected through the dark web or dark internet, for prices ranging between 100 and 250 dollars.
Intelligence agencies reiterated that in the case of Colombia, the Ministry of Health is the only one authorized to import and distribute vaccines, which is why actions such as the recent seizure of 70 units carried out by DIAN and Invima at the El Dorado airport they turn on the alarms, they say.
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Cases in the world
These intelligence agencies also assured that so far there have been 7 attacks on vaccine manufacturing laboratories in the world, by criminals seeking to seize the formula.
“Every day there are around 18 million cyber attacks related to covid-19 globally, 240 million false messages related to covid-19 are published daily on the Internet,” they say.
In the United States, for example, more than 10 million masks have been seized that do not meet the technical conditions to avoid contagion. Similarly, in that country, computer attacks have increased by 300%, through which criminals impersonate government authorities to divert vaccines and payments for them. Likewise, the assault on a vehicle that was transporting 30 vaccines was presented.
In Australia, another affected country, attacks related to the distribution of malware via email and text message links have increased by 150%.
In Germany, phishing (spoofing of web portals) to seize personal data has increased by 200%. And in China, 80 people were captured for the manufacture of fake vaccines, which were saline solutions without any effect against the pandemic.
In Brazil, cybercrime increased by 350%, mainly registering attacks through instant messaging. And in Mexico it registered the capture of six people for trafficking in fake vaccines, marketed at $ 2,000 per dose.
In Chile, 40 vaccines that were found in a health post were stolen. And in Argentina the theft of 30 doses from a recognized hospital is registered at the moment.
This class of crimes is considered by world authorities as very serious at a time of pandemic where health is what is at stake. Therefore, governments around the world are supporting the authorities to combat these criminal organizations.
Finally, the Police called on the population to go only to authorized vaccination units and asked citizens to report to 123 any business, hospital or website that offers vaccines.
• Access official sources and recognized media to obtain information on the National Vaccination Plan.
• As Invima highlights, the vaccine is a biological product that must be applied by authorized personnel and in clinical settings.
• Don’t be fooled by sale of vaccination slots or advertisements for special vaccines. Vaccines authorized by the Ministry of Health require special storage and distribution conditions.
• Under no circumstances acquire or allow yourself to be given vaccines in unauthorized places and outside the vaccination schedule. You may be exposed to being injected with a spurious substance with adverse health effects.
• Do not download attachments from unknown emails that ask for personal information.
• People who want to report a suspicious situation can contact line 123 or do so through the Virtual CAI (https://caivirtual.policia.gov.co/).
• If you are the victim of a crime, you can report virtually through the ADenunciation application, available on the pages of the National Police or the Police
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