Thread by @sugandh

How Covid-19 Scams Works 🧵:

1) Scammers create Covid-19 resource posts and circulate them on WhatsApp with their numbers.

2) These are further legitimized when resource portals and/or influencers unknowingly post out these numbers.

3) These numbers are often marked as #verified while the only verification some did was - checked if the number rings or if there is someone at the other end who claims to provide that medicine

4) When desperate guardians of these patients are looking for medicines, they find these numbers and contact them.

5) The scammers charge the guardians based on what they think the guardian can pay. Remdesivir that's has an MRP of 2-3.5K is being sold for 10K to 50K a vial.

6) If the families are lucky, they would get what they paid for. Else the scammers would delay the shipping for 2-3 days, and then say that he is out of stock.

Tips For Guardians:
1)Be very cautious. Take delivery before paying.
2)These injections can’t be couriered. They need constant refrigeration. If someone offers you to speedpost the medicine from a different city, it is not a feasible option.

Tips For Resource Portals:
1)You are legally liable for abetting a crime.
2)Please talk to the seller and verify his credentials before posting their number. If a source gave you that contact, mention the source.

Update: I have been getting horror stories across the country. Hence, I am building a list of scammers from across the country. If you are aware of any such scammers, please reply on this thread or DM me.