As the world continues to await a cure for the novel Coronavirus, the International Criminal Police Organisation INTERPOL has alleged that some criminal minds have concluded plans to sell fake COVID19 vaccines to Nigeria and other countries in search of the treatment of the viral disease.

The need for a COVID19 vaccine has become more urgent globally and nationally with Nigeria recording over 67,000 COVID-19 infections and over 1,000 associated fatalities.

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The World Health Organisation has identified 49 “candidate vaccines” at the stage of clinical trials in humans by mid-November, up from 11 in mid-June.

In a statement released on Wednesday, December 2, INTERPOL’s Secretary-General, Jurgen Stock, said some criminals have started advertising and selling fake COVID-19 and flu vaccine online.

In the statement titled, ‘INTERPOL warns of organized crime threat to COVID-19 vaccines’, Jurgen said

“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.

It is essential that law enforcement is as prepared as possible for what will be an onslaught of all types of criminal activity linked to the COVID-19 vaccine, which is why INTERPOL has issued this global warning.”