The investigative arm of Immigration and Customs Enforcement says a spike in fake COVID-19 vaccines is on the horizon, and it aims to stop criminal groups trying to cash-in on the pandemic. 

The mission is called Operation Stolen Promise 2.0 It’s a refocusing of springtime efforts to intercept fake coronavirus tests, treatments and personal protective gear.

Now the target is counterfeit vaccines that would most likely be imported, said Scott Brown, special agent in charge of Homeland Security investigations in Arizona. Real vaccine rollouts will happen in stages and take time. Some people won’t want to wait.   

“So their willingness to spend money to potentially jump to the front of the line makes them more vulnerable to potential frauds and people peddling either fake vaccines or vaccines that just don’t exist,” Brown said.

Brown said his agents will work with Customs and Border Protection, federal officials abroad and foreign allies to keep fake vaccines out of the country.

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