Fake COVID reports and vaccine certificates for sale on darknet
Source: Asia Insurance Review | May 2021
Fake COVID negative reports and vaccination certificates are up for sale on the darknet for those who want to travel across borders according to a new research report by cyber security company Check Point Research.
The new intelligence report reveals that the operators on the darknet are one step ahead and quick at finding out new money-making opportunities by duping people.
The cyber fraudsters have begun to advertise their ‘services’ on the darknet and hacking forums. Experts says that a fake ‘vaccine passport’ certificate is on sale from $500 to $1,000 depending on the vaccine brand. People can pick and choose the vaccine brand while buying the certificate.
A fake negative COVID-19 test result is sold at $25.
Cyber security experts at Check Point Research said the prices of these counterfeit documents have gone up as the restrictions on people’s movements have increased. The fraudsters are cashing in on the slow pace of the vaccine roll-out, too.
A Checkpoint researcher said, “There will always be people who don’t want to wait for their official vaccination or for an official negative test result — and shady people willing to service that demand.”
Check Point Research has suggested that in order to keep tabs on such fraudsters, countries should build a central repository with details of people getting tested and vaccinated. The certificates issued to recipients should be digitally signed.
“All data of tests and vaccination population should be digitally signed with encrypted keys airports, border keepers and any official enforcement agent should be able to scan a QR code or a bar code,” said the intelligence report. “Going forward, countries should be able to share the digitally signed data to enable certificate holders to safely roam and cross borders.” A