Access to Innovation
Access to Capital
Access to Talent
Access to Market
Access to Knowledge
Date Trend snippet:
23 March 2021
Relevance date:
2020
Type of Treath or Oppertunity
Domain of application
Source of threat
- Home >
- Services >
- Access to Knowledge >
- Trend Monitor >
- Type of Threat or Opportunity >
- Trend snippet: An increase in COVID-19 related scams
Trends in Security
Trends in Security Information
The HSD Trendmonitor is designed to provide access to relevant content on various subjects in the safety and security domain, to identify relevant developments and to connect knowledge and organisations. The safety and security domain encompasses a vast number of subjects. Four relevant taxonomies (type of threat or opportunity, victim, source of threat and domain of application) have been constructed in order to visualize all of these subjects. The taxonomies and related category descriptions have been carefully composed according to other taxonomies, European and international standards and our own expertise.
In order to identify safety and security related trends, relevant reports and HSD news articles are continuously scanned, analysed and classified by hand according to the four taxonomies. This results in a wide array of observations, which we call ‘Trend Snippets’. Multiple Trend Snippets combined can provide insights into safety and security trends. The size of the circles shows the relative weight of the topic, the filters can be used to further select the most relevant content for you. If you have an addition, question or remark, drop us a line at info@securitydelta.nl.
visible on larger screens only
Please expand your browser window.
Or enjoy this interactive application on your desktop or laptop.
An increase in COVID-19 related scams
During the COVID-19 pandemic, an increase is seen in the offering of counterfeit medical equipment by organised crime groups. Such counterfeit medical equipment ranges from face masks, disinfectants and sanitisers to fake Corona test kits and pharmaceuticals. These products have also led to an increase in the output of medical and sanitary waste.
More source info
Another highly visible phenomenon has been the proliferation of scams promoting fake COVID-19 test kits and treatments. New variations of these COVID-19 related scams appear every day. However, it is expected that once the current pandemic subsides, the number of these types of scams will diminish over time.
Criminals trading in counterfeit pharmaceutical and healthcare products have been quick to exploit the COVID-19 pandemic and to adapt their product portfolios to exploit shortages of genuine products, the fear and anxieties of regular citizens. These OCGs have once again proven highly adaptable in terms of shifting product focus and offer new types of medical equipment (especially face masks, fake Corona test kits, disposable latex gloves etc.), sanitisers and disinfectants (alcohol-based gels, soaps, disinfectant cleaning wipes etc.) and pharmaceuticals (antivirals, medication for arthritis and malaria, herbal remedies etc.).
The trade of counterfeit and substandard goods especially those related to healthcare such as pharmaceuticals and equipment has boomed during the pandemic. As demand for these products remains very high, counterfeiters will continue to provide counterfeit and substandard versions of these goods across the EU. The introduction of the mandatory
wearing of masks may even increase the supply of such counterfeit items.
Efforts to develop a vaccine against COVID-19 are ongoing around the world. Scammers are already offering versions of such a vaccine online. However, once the development of a genuine vaccine has been announced, it is expected that counterfeiters and fraudsters will invest heavily in offering ineffective counterfeits of this vaccine especially online via different platforms and on social media.
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a notable increase in the output of medical and sanitary waste across the EU. The trafficking and inadequate disposal of medical and sanitary waste is a notable crime risk, both in terms of generating proceeds for the criminals involved in this activity and the potential associated harm to public health.
