Interpol: Fake COVID-19 vaccines shipped from China to South Africa

In December last year, the global police co-ordination agency had warned that organised criminal networks could look to sell fake shots taking advantage of the situation.

South African authorities seized hundreds of fake COVID-19 vaccines following a global alert issued by Interpol warning vaccines would be a prime target for criminal networks who are willing to exploit people’s desperation.


Some 400 ampoules – equivalent to around 2,400 doses – containing the fake vaccine were found at a warehouse in Germiston, Gauteng, where officers also recovered a large quantity of fake 3M masks and arrested three Chinese nationals and a Zambian national.

In an investigation supported and facilitated by Interpol’s Illicit Goods and Global Health (IGGH) Programme, the police in China successfully identified a network selling fake COVID-19 vaccines, raided the manufacturing facility and arrested more than 80 suspects and seized more than 3000 fake vaccines on the scene.

Interpol said it had issued a global alert to law enforcement across its 194 member countries.

“As governments are preparing to roll out vaccines, criminal organisations are planning to infiltrate or disrupt supply chains. Criminal networks will also be targeting unsuspecting members of the public via fake websites and false cures, which could pose a significant risk to their health, even their lives,” said Interpol secretary general Juergen Stock.

Investigations are continuing, and in addition to the arrests in South Africa and China, Interpol is also receiving additional reports of fake vaccine distribution and scam attempts targeting health bodies, such as nursing homes.

Interpol is again warning the public that no approved vaccines are currently available for sale online.

Any vaccine being advertised on websites or the dark web, will not be legitimate, will not have been tested and may be harmful to their health.

0 Comments

*Enter your name

*2 characters minimum.

Do not change these fields following

Download our app from play store and get updates everyday for FREE. Press the button below.