As people are struggling to get medical oxygen and medicines for COVID-19 patients, Haryana Police on Thursday cautioned citizens against fraudsters who could dupe them on the pretext of providing oxygen cylinders and life-saving drugs through e-commerce portal OLX and other social media applications.
Director General of Police (DGP), Manoj Yadava said that the widespread requirement of Remdesivir injection and oxygen cylinders has become an ideal pretext for cybercriminals who are trying to manipulate people in need of oxygen. People who are in dire need of medical resources may fall in their trap.
To make a quick buck, such cyber fraudsters are adopting modern techniques to cheat innocent and needy ones. The most common modus operandi of the fraudsters is posting fake advertisements about availability of oxygen cylinders and other medical resources on cyber platforms like OLX and Facebook or Instagram. Those who engaged in online black marketing of oxygen on OLX, are based in area around trijunction of Haryana, Rajasthan or Uttar Pradesh, the DGP said.
The DGP also warned against the hoarding, illegal buying or selling of oxygen cylinders and other life-saving drugs. Those found involved in such criminal activities would be severely dealt with as per the law, he added.
Two held for Remdesivir black-marketing
Haryana Police has arrested two persons from Panipat on the charges of black-marketing of Remdesivir injection, considered a life-saving drug during the COVID pandemic. Three injections were recovered from them.
A spokesperson informed that arrested accused were identified as Imran and Manoj, both residents of Panipat district. Accused Imran was posted as Area Manager at Lal Path Lab, while Manoj runs a medical store in a hospital. The accused were trying to sell one vial of remdesivir for Rs 20000. Initial probe revealed that they had so far sold 12 injections at various places. On the complaint of the Drug Control Officer, a case was registered against them under various sections of the Drug and Cosmetic Act and IPC. Further investigation is underway, the spokesman said.
