Agents of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Baltimore and partners have seized over 14,000 unapproved COVID-19 treatment capsules and several unapproved COVID-19 test kits, as part of Operation Stolen Promise investigations.
Launched in April, Operation Stolen Promise is a US national operation aimed at combating COVID-19 fraud and other related criminal activity.
In one seizure, HSI Baltimore, US Customs and Border Protection and Maryland Natural Resources Police seized a shipment that originated in China and contained unapproved COVID-19 test kits.
In another case, HSI and the US Postal Inspection Service intercepted a package originating in Hong Kong and discovered nearly 500 unapproved COVID-19 treatment capsules.
Panic-stricken consumers and predatory scammers continue to purchase unproven coronavirus pharmaceuticals and counterfeit protective and diagnostic equipment that pose a serious health threat to American consumers,
…said Ronald Stanley, CBP’s acting director of field operations in Baltimore.
Criminal organizations that have historically engaged in financial scams are pivoting to exploit the pandemic for illegal financial gains.
These networks are smuggling and selling counterfeit safety equipment and prohibited testing kits, medicines, and hygiene products, as well as running illicit websites to sell their merchandise.
In the coming weeks, HSI anticipates that financial fraud scams involving financial relief, COVID-19 stimulus checks, and traditional boiler room criminal operations, will increase.
As of June 1, HSI special agents have worked alongside US Customs and Border Protection to seize 668 shipments of mislabeled, fraudulent, unauthorized or prohibited COVID-19 test kits, treatment kits, homeopathic remedies, purported anti-viral products and personal protective equipment (PPE).
