Gangsters are trying to cash in on the coronavirus crisis by stockpiling vital protective clothing and testing kits.
Police believe criminals are putting frontline workers at risk by muscling in on the equipment needed to keep them safe.
As well as buying up Covid-19 testing kits and PPE equipment, groups known to be linked to organised crime are attempting to trade in counterfeit, out of date, mislabelled and non-compliant equipment.
And there has been a rise in fraudulent activity targeting
OAPs and other vulnerable people, alongside an increase
in online scams.
A police source told us: “As well as the scams and frauds we anticipated, some criminals are posing as buyers for NHS trusts and care homes and trying to acquire significant stocks.
“They would most likely seek legitimate intermediaries in the business world to sell this stuff on at highly-inflated rates.
“In relation to the testing kits, there appears to be particular interest in those that claim to be able to tell you whether you have had the virus and might therefore have some immunity.
“We don’t want any of this kit in the hands of criminals rather than the organisations that might need it to keep their staff safe.”
The source said crime groups are now far more flexible than in the past, meaning they have been able to respond to their usual sources of illicit income drying up.
The source added: “Because drugs like cocaine are much harder to get hold of with all modes of travel restricted, the price has doubled, so crime groups look for alternatives.
“They don’t stop committing crimes and waiting for things to return to normal, they find new ways to exploit people and make money, and they are ruthless.
“We have had reports from one European partner of a crime group becoming involved in having fake PPE goods manufactured from cheap materials that would offer no protection, so that is another area we have to be alive to.”
Angela McLaren, Police Scotland’s assistant chief constable for Organised Crime, Counter Terrorism and Intelligence, said: “There is no doubt that there are those involved in serious and organised crime who will exploit any situation for their own gain.”
