EURO cops are hunting a network of scammers offering illicit coronavirus vaccines to governments across the European Union.

Law enforcers Europol and therefore the bloc’s anti-fraud squad have warned that fraudsters have attempted to sell almost one billion doses of Covid jabs via the black market. During a secret report back to member states, the EU Anti-Fraud Office said the rise was worth almost €13billion. The investigation was raised by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen last week at a virtual summit of EU leaders.

She told the meeting that the bulk of the attempted frauds had followed an equivalent patterns and urged EU governments to not get caught out.

OLAF claimed governments and health officials are approached by criminals posing as intermediaries representing pharmaceutical giants.

The crooks were said to use websites and social media profiles to form it appear to be a legitimate business advance.

Around 92 percent of the fake offers were for the AstraZeneca vaccine, it had been said.

“In multiple cases, at the time of the offer the businesses had already been dissolved, or were managed by persons with a proven record,” the report said, consistent with the Bloomberg news wire.

The memo, which was circulated to EU governments, added there was a vaccine theft or the likelihood of doses being diverted by corrupt officials.

It also warned there was an opportunity that counterfeit or sub-standard vaccines are being offered on the black market.


Europe spokesman Jan Op Gen Oorth said: “A new criminal trend seems to be emerging pointing to targeted fraud attempted affecting public authorities liable for the procurement of vaccines.

“Several cases in EU member states are reported to Europe concerning fraudulent offers to sell many doses of COVID-19 vaccines.”

He insisted the contracts, which require a sizeable deposit, are “fraudulent attempts to steal money, as none of the offers known today are genuine.”

Europe didn't identify what countries had been targeted by fraudulent vaccine offers.

But last week it had been reported that Germany was one among the countries targeted by scammers.

It was reported by German tabloid Bild that several European Union states are offered up to 100 million doses on the “grey market” – the unauthorised sale of legitimate products.

The vaccines were illegally exported from factories in India that manufacture the vaccine under licence, it had been claimed.

German Health Minister Jens Spahn was said to possess received an immediate offer of additional doses to assist plug the present shortfall across Europe.

Attempted illicit sales of the BioNTech/Pfizer and therefore the Moderna vaccines have also been reported.

Italy, Austria, Hungary and therefore the Czech Republic have all been offered illicit doses of coronavirus vaccines, consistent with the report.

AstraZeneca has issued a warning to governments to reject any third party offers for his or her vaccine.

A spokeswoman said: “Our current focus is delivering on our substantial global commitments to governments and international health organisations, as quickly as possible to assist end the pandemic.

“As such, there's currently no private sector supply, sale or distribution of the vaccine.

“If someone offers private vaccines, it's likely counterfeit, so should be refused and reported to local health authorities.”