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have access to in order to capitalize on the medical community’s urgent needs
Date
2021-05-07
Full text
EXHIBIT 76
Case 1:20-cv-00658-LMB-IDD Document 131-11 Filed 05/07/21 Page 1 of 4 PageID#
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Washington, D.C.
FBI National Press Office
(202) 324-3691
March 27, 2020
FBI Warns Health Care
Professionals of Increased
Potential for Fraudulent Sales of
COVID-19-Related Medical
Equipment
Scammers continue to take advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic to steal
money through a variety of means. The FBI is warning the health care industry
in particular of an increased potential for fraudulent activity dealing with the
purchase of COVID-19-related medical equipment. Based on the current
stress on the supply chain, scammers may promise equipment they do not
have access to in order to capitalize on the medical community’s urgent needs.
The FBI asks the medical community to exercise due diligence and
appropriate caution when dealing with any vendors with whom they have never
worked and/or of which they’ve never heard, and when relying on unidentified
third-party brokers in the supply chain.
The FBI advises to be on the lookout for any suspicious activity, to include:
An official website of the United States government. Here's how you know
FBI Warns Health Care Professionals of Increased Potential for Fraudulent Sales of COVID-19-Relat...
https://www.fbi.gov/news/pressrel/press-releases/fbi-warns-health-care-professionals-of-increased-po...
Case 1:20-cv-00658-LMB-IDD Document 131-11 Filed 05/07/21 Page 2 of 4 PageID#
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◾Unusual payment terms (e.g., supplier asking for up-front payments or
proof of payment)
◾Last-minute price changes
◾Last-minute excuses for delay in shipment (e.g., claims that the
equipment was seized at port or stuck in customs)
◾Unexplained source of bulk supply
If you think you have information of suspicious activity by a vendor, or
believe you were a victim of a scam or attempted fraud involving COVID-
19, please report it:
◾Submit a tip to the FBI online at tips.fbi.gov (https://tips.fbi.gov/)
◾If it’s a cyber scam, submit your complaint to the Internet Crime Complaint
Center at ic3.gov (https://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx)
◾Contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud
(https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via
email at disaster@leo.gov (mailto:disaster@leo.gov)
Additionally, the FBI urges everyone to be cautious of anyone selling products
that claim to prevent, treat, diagnose, or cure COVID-19. Be alert to counterfeit
products like sanitizing products and personal protective equipment (PPE),
including N95 respirator masks, goggles, full-face shields, protective gowns,
and gloves.
More information on unapproved or counterfeit PPE can be found at
cdc.gov/niosh (https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/). You can also find information on
the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (https://www.fda.gov/) website and the
Environmental Protection Agency (https://www.epa.gov/) website. Counterfeit
products can be reported to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center
(https://www.ic3.gov/) and to the National Intellectual Property Rights
Coordination Center (https://www.iprcenter.gov/).
For accurate and up-to-date information about COVID-19, visit:
FBI Warns Health Care Professionals of Increased Potential for Fraudulent Sales of COVID-19-Relat...
https://www.fbi.gov/news/pressrel/press-releases/fbi-warns-health-care-professionals-of-increased-po...
Case 1:20-cv-00658-LMB-IDD Document 131-11 Filed 05/07/21 Page 3 of 4 PageID#
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◾coronavirus.gov (https://www.coronavirus.gov/)
◾cdc.gov/coronavirus (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus)
◾usa.gov/coronavirus (https://www.usa.gov/coronavirus)
◾fbi.gov/coronavirus (https://www.fbi.gov/coronavirus)
◾justice.gov/coronavirus (https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus)
FBI Warns Health Care Professionals of Increased Potential for Fraudulent Sales of COVID-19-Relat...
https://www.fbi.gov/news/pressrel/press-releases/fbi-warns-health-care-professionals-of-increased-po...
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