DarkOwl Reports COVID-19 Scams on the Darknet, Finds No Evidence of Increased Forum Use
Summary
DarkOwl analysts found darknet offers for fake COVID-19 vaccines, samples, test kits and drugs, plus redirects to potentially malicious downloads. Their forum-registration data showed no evidence of increased darknet use during the pandemic.
Key points
- Darknet listings advertised purported COVID-19 vaccines, blood or saliva samples, test kits, masks and anti-malarial drugs; the article presents these as scams or offers, not verified products.
- Some pandemic-themed posts redirected users to potentially malware-laden pages or demanded cryptocurrency for downloads.
- DarkOwl linked contact details used in test-kit and drug advertisements, which it said indicated a possible scam network.
- The article also describes a COVID-19-themed audio file promoted as a cure and a post discussing shoplifting amid reduced police presence.
- DarkOwl compared registration data from darknet drug forums and found average daily registrations at one forum remained consistent with rates in 2019 and 2017.
- The analysts found no empirical evidence in the data they reviewed to support an increase in darknet use during the pandemic.
Article Details
- Event Type
- COVID-19-related scams and fraudulent listings on darknet services and forums
- Impact
- DarkOwl reported fraudulent offers for vaccines, blood samples, test kits, masks, and drugs, as well as links that redirected visitors toward possible malware or cryptocurrency payment requests. The article reports no confirmed malware infection and found no empirical evidence of increased darknet usage during the period reviewed.