The FBI is warning the public about several emerging health care fraud schemes related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Criminals are actively manipulating the COVID-19 pandemic to their advantage,” said Calvin A. Shivers, assistant director of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division. “We ask all Americans to remain vigilant to avoid falling victim to these schemes.”
According to the FBI, these scammers are attempting to sell fake test kits and unapproved treatments among other scams.
The FBI wants the public to be aware schemes involving treatment of the coronavirus or testing solutions.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General issued a COVID-19 Fraud Alert video to warn about several health care fraud scams.
The FBI is also warning government and health care industry buyers of rapidly emerging fraud trends related to procurement of personal protective equipment, medical equipment such as ventilators, and other supplies or equipment in short supply during the current COVID-19 pandemic.
They recently became aware of multiple incidents in which state government agencies, attempting to procure such equipment, wire transferred funds to fraudulent brokers and sellers in advance of receiving the items.
