"Dark Web Bursting With COVID-19 Vaccines, Vaccine Passports"

Security researchers at Check Point have observed a 300 percent increase in listings on the dark web marketplaces advertising vaccine doses, falsified vaccine certifications, negative test results, and more in the last three months. According to the researchers, there are more than 1,200 listings that are offering various vaccines, including Moderna, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Sputnik, Johnson & Johnson, and Sinopharm. The legitimacy of the doses remains unknown. However, even if the doses were legitimate, there is no guarantee that they have been stored properly. The researchers attempted to purchase the Sinopharm vaccine from one of the dark web vendors. Negotiations for purchasing the vaccine took place on Telegram. The vendor provided reassurance that the vaccine doses were real. The researchers paid $500 in bitcoin for the vaccine then received a FedEx shipping label, but they did not receive the shipment. Dark web vendors are suspected to be having greater success with selling falsified vaccine cards and negative test results, as the researchers have seen more vaccination certificates being offered than vaccines. This article continues to discuss the researchers' observations surrounding the increase in COVID-19-related listings on dark web marketplaces. 

Ars Technica reports "Dark Web Bursting With COVID-19 Vaccines, Vaccine Passports"