Woman sold bogus coronavirus test kits on Craigslist, California police say
A California woman used Craigslist to peddle fake coronavirus testing kits, Los Angeles police say.
Now she’s facing multiple charges.
LAPD officers made three undercover buys from 39-year-old Ying Lien Wang before arresting her in Santa Monica on Tuesday, the department wrote in a news release. They seized 61 of the bogus testing kits, which authorities say had not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
“The suspect sold her products on Craigslist,” according to the release. “None of the Covid-19 test kits recovered had been tested to meet United States safety standards and could pose a risk to anyone using them.”
On Twitter, LAPD Commercial Crimes Division Capt. Lillian L. Carranza said Wang was selling the kits for $50.
The woman was arrested and charged on suspicion of false advertising, with police adding that there could be additional charges for health and safety code violations.
Investigators with the LAPD’s commercial and intellectual property crimes divisions collaborated with Homeland Security Investigations to serve the warrant used to bust Wang for selling the bogus testing kits, according to the news release.
Federal authorities made a similar bust in Ohio earlier this month, confiscating $600,000 worth of counterfeit coronavirus test kits, McClatchy News previously reported. The fake kits have also come in from overseas, with more than 1,100 of them arriving at Chicago’s O’Hare airport, according to McClatchy, citing a report from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
“These products have serious consequences to everyone,” said Hans Leiterman, the assistant area port director for Chicago. “CBP seizures of illegally imported merchandise helps protect the health and safety of U.S. citizens.”
On Wednesday, the LAPD reminded the public that Los Angeles is offering COVID-19 testing to all, free of charge. Residents can sign up by logging on to covid19.lacounty.gov/testing/.