Black Market COVID Vaccines: How Much Shots Are Illegally Selling For

As the demand for the COVID vaccine increases amid a short supply of the drug, shots are circulating on the black market at a cost.

The purchase of a COVID vaccine on the dark web can range from $500 up to $1,000 a dose, a report from cybersecurity firm Check Point Software indicated on Tuesday as reported by CNN.

The report found a number of fraudulent COVID vaccine listings, including ones for the AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson shot. Also found on the dark web by the firm were at least 20 illegal vaccination card listings with a price tag of $200 each.

The vaccination cards are being printed to order with the buyer’s name and date of vaccination on what looks like an authentic card, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s logo, CNN said.

A Check Point Software spokesperson told the news outlet that they believe that these “vendors are capable of pumping out fake vaccination cards by the thousands, if not tens of thousands, based on requests."

Fake negative COVID-19 test results are also being sold for $25 with some sellers even offering a buy two, get the third for free offer enticing potential buyers to cash in on additional savings.

The need for these fraudulent coronavirus products is growing as people looks to obtain the items to board planes, gain employment, or participate in any other activity that would require proof of a COVID vaccination, CNN said.

The report showed that listings for COVID vaccines on the dark web have increased by 300% over the last three months. In January, Check Point Software said it found hundreds of advertisements for illegal COVID vaccines, which has now more than tripled to over 1,200.

The Check Point Software spokesperson told CNN that while it is unclear if the vaccines are real, “they appear to be legitimate” from the pictures of the packaging and the medical certificates.

The vaccines found on the dark web are a part of the internet that is not detectable by search engines. Here, cybercriminals sell and buy illegal items that can range from credit card numbers to drugs and cyberweapons. Now, the practice has opened up to coronavirus products.

News of illegal COVID vaccines and fake vaccination cards is not surprising giving the lengths that some people have gone to try and get their shot.

In Orange County, Florida, in February, two younger women dressed up as grannies to try and receive their second COVID vaccine dose when they were not eligible for the shot. The women were issued trespassing warnings.

There have also been issues of people traveling to other states to skip the line to get their COVID shot, causing Florida to crack down on out-of-state travelers wanting the vaccine.

Government officials have warned people to stop posting their vaccination cards on social media to avoid identity theft or scams.

According to the CDC, over 45.5 million people have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, accounting for 13.7% of the U.S. population.