Counterfeit masks have been a huge problem for frontline health care workers and first responders, officials indicated.
Homeland Security Investigationsโ (HSI) Border Enforcement Security Taskforce (BEST), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the FBI seized more than 460,000 counterfeit surgical masks that were sold to first responders in Seattle alone on Feb. 24, according to a press release.
โCriminal organizations are exploiting the COVID-19 pandemic by selling counterfeit personal protective equipment to unsuspecting American consumers,โ said Brian Humphrey, Director of Field Operations for Customs and Border Protection in Seattle.
HSI Pacific Northwest is working to eliminate the issue and in a nationwide effort, has seized almost 10 million counterfeit masks throughout the country, according to the press release.
The FBI encourages everyone to exercise due diligence and appropriate caution when dealing with unknown vendors and brokers in the supply chain.โ