"Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccines can be purchased for as little as $500 (R7000) per dose from top-selling vendors. These sellers use various channels, such as Wickr, Telegram, WhatsApp and Gmail, for advertising and communications. Darknet listings associated with alleged Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccines are selling for $600 (R8000) to $2,500 (R35,000). Prospective buyers can receive the product within two to 10 days. Some of these supposed Covid-19 vaccines are imported from the United States, while others are packed in the United Kingdom and shipped to every country in the world, according to the underground advertisement," McAfee said.
A vendor sells 10 doses of what they claim to be Moderna Covi-19 vaccines for $2,000 (R28,000).
Screenshots provided by McAfee of listings with alleged Covid-19 vaccines:
McAfee found Covid-19 antibody home test kits for sale. "Besides what are claimed to be COVID-19 vaccines, cybercriminals offer antibody home test kits for $152 (again, we do not know whether they are genuine or not). According to the advertisement, there are various shipping options available. It costs $41 for ‘stealthy’ shipping to the United States, $10.38 to ship to the United Kingdom, and $20 to mail the vaccines internationally," the company said.
On the darknet marketplaces, the sales of counterfeit Covid-19 test results and vaccination certificates began to outnumber the Covid vaccine offerings in mid-April. This shift is most likely because Covid-19 vaccines are now readily available for those who want them. People can buy and show these certificates without being vaccinated. A growing number of colleges will require students to have received a Covid-19 vaccine before returning to in-person classes by this fall.Soon, Covid-19 vaccination proof is likely to become a requirement of some type of “passport” to board a plane or enter major events and venues.
The growing demand for proof of vaccination is driving an illicit economy for fake vaccination and test certificates. Opportunistic cybercriminals capitalise on public interest in obtaining a Covid-19 immunity passport, particularly for those who oppose Covid-19 vaccines or test positive for Covid-19 but want to return to school or work, resume travel or attend a public event.
Counterfeit negative Covid-19 test results and Covid-19 vaccination cards are available for sale at various darknet marketplaces. Fake CDC-issued vaccination cards are available for $50. One vendor offers counterfeit German Covid-19 certificates for $23.35. Vaccination cards with customised information, such as “verified” batch or lot numbers for particular dates and “valid” medical and hospital information, are also available for purchase.
