THE Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned the public from buying COVID-19 vaccines through online sites or online selling platforms.
The agency released an advisory regarding the scam that targets people who want a specific brand of vaccines, particularly overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
Most of these scammers state that they are letting the public choose their preferred vaccines such as AstraZeneca, Pfizer and Moderna.
“The modus operandi of the scammers includes offering a promo deal like buy 2 take 1 deal. Once you place your order to the online selling platform, the seller will send a chat message and will give his private contact numbers, usually Viber, WeChat or WhatsApp. Payment will be requested to be settled through GCash or bank transfer prior to arrangement of delivery,” the agency said.
In addition, the FDA said that after a long process that involve multiple procedures with random people, and despite payments have been settled, no vaccines will be delivered.
“After the payment, another person/number will send a message asking for courier or delivery fee. When the delivery fee has been paid, another person will send a message asking for the payment of the insurance fee. No vaccine product will be delivered even when all payments have been settled,” FDA said.
The FDA also reminded the public that selling and buying of COVID-19 vaccines are prohibited in the country since they are given free to the public.