Fake Covid-19 vaccine doses, certificates on sale on darknet

[Representational Image] Covid-19 vaccination certificate. Picture Credit: Pixabay

With the wider roll-out of vaccines around the world, traveling restrictions are being relaxed in many countries. However, several nations including European Union want the local and international passengers to have digital green certificates, which proves they have been vaccinated and also have passed the Covid-19 test with a negative result.

So far, only 1% of the world's population is estimated to receive the full course of vaccination. But, some people fearing the crowd at nearby authorised hospitals are trying to fool the system by buying fake vaccination certificates on the darknet and fly to international destinations.

Some darknet traders from Russia are offering fake vaccination certificates for around 10,000 RUB (approx. $131/Rs 9,507). And another one in the UK is offering a similar vaccination card for $150 ( around Rs 10,870) but will accept it only through cryptocurrency payment method, reported Check Point Research experts.

The darknet traders seem to claim that they offer a genuine-looking certificate with physician signature and hospital logos. Already many have subscribed to their service and there have been no complaints from the patrons, the sellers say to lure potential clients. All the user needs to provide is the time and accurate name and pay the prescribed fees.

Fake vaccination card. Credit: Check Point Research

Not just the certificate, black marketers are also selling vaccine doses made by Oxford – AstraZeneca (UK), Johnson & Johnson (US), Sputnik V (Russia) and Sinopharm (China) with prices ranging from $500 (approx. Rs 36,233) and $1000 (roughly Rs 72,466).

"In recent weeks our researchers have spotted an increasing amount of advertisements for vaccines within Darknet markets: currently numbering over 1,200, with sellers based in the U.S. and European countries including Spain, Germany, France and Russia. This represents over a 300% increase since January 2021. The vaccines advertised include Oxford – AstraZeneca (at $500), Johnson & Johnson ($600), the Russian Sputnik vaccine ($600), and the Chinese SINOPHARM vaccine," Check Point report noted.

Ads related to vaccines on sale on the darknet. Credit: Check Point Research

However, it is advised to readers not to fall for such advertisements on the darknet. The vaccine doses in all likelihood are fake.

How to differentiate between fake and genuine vaccination certificate
1) No matter how authentic they look in terms of design and logo, there will be spelling mistakes that give up the fake certificate
2) Cyber experts at Check Point urge governments to offer digitally signed certificates, which can only be authenticated with encryption keys
3) Airports, border keepers, and any official enforcement agent should have the ability to scan a QR or bar code
4) Every country should internally manage a central repository of tests and vaccinated people, which can securely be shared between relevant authorized bodies within the country

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