People who need to board flights, cross borders, start a new career, or do other things that include proof of vaccination are being sold counterfeit Covid-19 vaccine cards and other products.
According to a report which was published recently, counterfeit vaccine cards and what are billed as Covid-19 vaccines are now for sale on the dark web. Check Point security researchers disclosed listings for Covid-19 vaccines from a number of brands, including AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson, for up to thousand dollars per dose, and at least 20 vaccine certificates for two hundred dollars each.
Dubious Virtual World
The dark web is an unsearchable section of the Internet where cybercriminals often sell and buy illegal materials ranging from credit card numbers and narcotics to cyberweapons and, now, apparently, coronavirus-related items.
The authenticity of the vaccines is unknown, according to a statement of Check Point spokesperson disclosed to CNN Business, but “they seem to be legitimate” based on photos of packaging and medical certificates. Vaccine advertisements on the dark web have increased by 300 percent in the last three months, according to the survey.
According to Check Point, vaccine certificates or evidence of vaccination cards are produced and printed on demand; the customer provides the name and dates they want on the certificate, and the vendor produces a card that resembles a genuine one.
People who need to board flights, cross borders, start a new career, or participate in other activities that include proof of vaccination are targeted for the counterfeit items. The fake vaccine cards feature the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) logo, which includes an eagle picture, in the top right corner, just like the real ones. “Vendors are capable of pumping out fake vaccination cards by the thousands, if not tens of thousands, based on requests.” a Check Point spokesperson said.
Illegal markets for vaccine cards and digital passports, according to some researchers, is a neccessity for some group of persons who want shortcuts.
Michela Menting, an analyst at ABI Research who specialises in cybersecurity said that “Not everyone has access to the vaccine; roll-outs are slow in many countries, and people are tired of lock-downs and curfews,”
He added “If people can easily get hold of a fake passport to avoid restrictions, then they will, and an illicit market will spring up around it.”
The news comes as government officials advise people not to share photos of their vaccine cards on social media to avoid becoming a victim of identity fraud or phishing scams.