NCA officers make two separate arrests amid concerns coronavirus pandemic is ‘being used as a hook to commit fraud’

This article is more than 5 months old

This article is more than 5 months old

﻿A pharmacist and a surveyor have been arrested on suspicion of illegally selling coronavirus testing kits in two separate investigations by the National Crime Agency (NCA).

NCA officers arrested a 46-year-old pharmacist from Croydon on Saturday under the Fraud Act 2006 after he allegedly made false and misleading claims about tests’ capability. Two properties and a car linked to the suspect were searched. He was released on conditional bail.

In a separate investigation, a 39-year-old surveyor from Uxbridge, west London, was stopped while driving his car, in which 250 Covid-19 testing kits were found. He was arrested under the Fraud Act 2006 after making false and misleading claims about the capability of the tests, which he told investigators he was planning to sell to construction workers. He was released on conditional bail.

In another unrelated move, the NCA took down a website trying to fool victims into buying suspected non-existent personal protective equipment (PPE) through phishing emails.

Nikki Holland, NCA director of investigations, said: “Illegally selling testing kits completely undermines the nation’s collective response to the pandemic and actually endangers lives.

“Anyone thinking of trying to profit in this way should take note of these arrests and that bringing these offenders to justice and ceasing their activities is a key priority across law enforcement.”

Graeme Biggar, director general of the National Economic Crime Centre, added: “Covid-19 is increasingly being used as a hook to commit fraud – and we think these offences are likely to increase during the pandemic.”

Offenders are targeting people trying to buy medical supplies online and have been sending emails offering fake medical support and scamming people who may be vulnerable or isolated at home, the NCA said.

Frauds have been attempted by trying to lure victims with offers that look too good to be true such as high return investments, “healthcare opportunities” or appeals to support bogus charities.

Tariq Sarwar, head of operations for enforcement at the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), said: “The use of products for the diagnosis of coronavirus infection in community settings, such as pharmacies, for home use, is not at present advised by Public Health England.

“There are no CE-marked tests for home use, and it is illegal to supply such products. The safety, performance or quality of the products cannot be guaranteed and this poses a health risk.” He added: “Always make sure you are buying your medicines from a registered pharmacy or website and your medical devices from reputable retailers.”