Wednesday 19th August 2020
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Looks harmless, but could cause massive damage: people around the world are currently finding plant seeds from China in their mailboxes – which they have not even ordered. It is suspected that this is a scam. Experts strongly advise against planting the delivered seeds.
The Federal Research Institute for Cultivated Plants (JKI) warns against packets of plant seeds that have not been ordered. The Julius Kühn Institute announced that such deliveries are currently being sent worldwide. In Germany, such packages appeared in Bavaria and Hesse.
The specific sender is unknown, but the trace leads to Asia. An online marketing scam is suspected. According to the regional council of Giessen, criminal traders log into the accounts of the recipients on online shipping platforms and place orders in order to give themselves positive reviews on the portals.
The JKI experts warn against sowing the seeds. Pathogens such as fungi, bacteria or viruses, which are classified as so-called quarantine pests in Europe and whose introduction should be prevented at all costs, could be found on and in the seeds.
“It seems almost an irony of fate that such mysterious seed shipments are being talked about in the International Year of Plant Health 2020,” said Katrin Kaminski from the JKI. What is possibly intended as an advertising campaign by online retailers could, according to the information, become dangerous for domestic gardens, parks, forests and fields. For these reasons, the seeds should not be sown and, if possible, disposed of with household waste and not via the compost or the organic waste bin.
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