Italy’s Guardia di Finanza police force said on March 4 that its officers had raided several premises after identifying sellers of bogus COVID-19 “antidotes” and related equipment at “crazy prices.”

The force said that ionizers, masks, overalls, protective gloves, sanitizing products, glasses, various kits, filtering masks, sanitary covers, food supplements, and other items were being falsely marketed as giving “total immunity from COVID-19.”

Within days of the outbreak, police said, it had identified 33 “scammers” selling devices that had become hard to find, offering them at inflated prices.

Fourteen suspects were identified, police said, and they have been charged. Credit: Guardia di Finanza via Storyful