Skip to content
Join our Newsletter

Richmond resident caught selling 1,500 fake COVID-19 test kits

More than 1,500 fake COVID-19 testing kits have been seized from a Richmond resident by the RCMP in partnership with Health Canada.
fakecovidtest-kitssubmitted
The fake test kits for COVID-19 seized in Richmond | Photo: Submitted

More than 1,500 fake COVID-19 testing kits have been seized from a Richmond resident by the RCMP in partnership with Health Canada.

The COVID-19 Fraud Response Team of the BC RCMP, in partnership with Health Canada, acted on a tip from the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre that the unauthorized kits were being sold online to unsuspecting British Columbians.

Health Canada inspectors, assisted by members of the RCMP, seized more than 1,500 unauthorized kits from a Richmond resident, who had acquired and sold them without authorization.

Only diagnostic tests authorized by Health Canada can be imported or sold in Canada.

The RCMP said the person in question has not been charged, but didn’t give an explanation as to why. The Richmond News has asked for more information.

Authorized COVID-19 tests provide accurate and reliable results, whereas unauthorized tests may lead to potential misdiagnosis.

Selling or advertising health products that make false or misleading claims to prevent, diagnose, treat or cure COVID-19 is illegal in Canada..

Health Canada said it is continuing to monitor websites for false and misleading claims, working with online retailers to ensure that unauthorized products and products making unauthorized claims are removed from their websites.

Canadians who have purchased unauthorized health products should stop using them immediately and consult a health care professional if they have used any of these products and have health concerns.

Health Canada encourages anyone who has information on the potential non-compliant sale or advertising of a health product claiming to treat, diagnose, prevent or cure COVID-19, to report it using the online complaint form.

Canadians are reminded to be extra careful during the pandemic regarding online frauds and scams, said Insp. Lav Mangat, operations officer for the BC RCMP Financial Integrity Program.

Richmond News