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Fake Products Flood US Market Amid Pandemic, posing Health Hazards

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Federal authorities are racing against time to stop the influx of fake and potentially life-threatening products being marketed to Americans as a solution to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. In recent months, US customs officials have seized thousands of dubious lanyards, tablets, and herbal medicines, all part of a growing trend of unapproved supplies entering the US market. The rise of these fake products has become a deadly side effect of the effort to supply US consumers with essential personal protective equipment and medical supplies. Scammers have capitalized on the public's anxiety and desperation for a cure, exploiting a market that is ripe for exploitation.

Key Takeaways:

  • US customs officials have seized over 8,700 tablets and 2,261 lanyards of unapproved chloroquine and EPA-prohibited anti-virus lanyards, respectively, as of May 1.
  • The CBP's New York Field has office made 63 seizures of unapproved test kits and anti-body kits, resulting in over 5,000 test kits seized, in addition to 18 seizures of lanyards amounting to over 400 products.
  • The "Virus Shut Out" product, which claims to prevent the spread of the coronavirus by using chlorine dioxide, has been intercepted over 10,000 times, according to the EPA, and is considered a pesticide that must be registered with the agency.
  • The products in question often make inaccurate and false claims about their ability to prevent or cure the coronavirus, putting consumers at risk of health hazards.
  • Both eBay and Amazon are monitoring their sales platforms to find and remove products that make inaccurate claims about Covid-19.
  • A Georgia resident was charged in April with illegally importing and selling an unregistered pesticide through eBay, claiming it would help protect people from viruses.
  • The majority of the products appear to be made in Japan, but shipments from various countries, including China, Germany, Hong Kong, Qatar, and Taiwan, have also been seized.
  • The FDA has issued a warning letter to a seller marketing chlorine dioxide products known as "Miracle Mineral Solution" for prevention and treatment of Covid-19.

Statistics:

  • Over 8,700 tablets and 2,261 lanyards of unapproved chloroquine and EPA-prohibited anti-virus lanyards, respectively, have been seized by US customs officials as of May 1.
  • Over 5,000 test kits, including 63 seizures of unapproved test kits and anti-body kits, have been seized by the CBP's New York Field has office.
  • Over 10,000 units of the "Virus Shut Out" product have been intercepted, according to the EPA.
  • Over 6.5 million products have been blocked or removed by Amazon for making inaccurate claims about Covid-19.
  • 400 lanyards and 18 seizures of unapproved test kits have been seized by the CBP's New York Field has office.

Sources:

  • (CNN) -- Geneva Sands, CNN
  • US Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
  • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
  • Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
  • Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
  • Department of Justice
  • eBay
  • Amazon
  • Department of Homeland Security
  • CNN Investigations

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