Get COVID-19 tests done only at ICMR-approved labs: Mumbai CP

On Friday, Mumbai Police Commissioner Hemant Nagrale took to Twitter and urged citizens to only get their COVID-19 tests done at Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)-approved laboratories to not fall prey to cyber fraud. Police have said that a number of citizens were receiving fake test reports amidst the second wave of the COVID-19.

According to police sources, the fraudsters are posing as employees of lesser known laboratories and giving fake reports. The fraudsters are taking advantage of the rush at civic- and staterun hospitals. Many citizens are opting for private laboratories and booking appointments online, giving an opportunity for cyber criminals to dupe them.

This modus operandi aids cyber fraudsters to take advantage of the situation and offer home visits and collect samples to cheat patients. The fraudsters then either send negative or fake test reports. The top cop said in the tweet, "Testing Times! Cyber criminals, taking advantage of the rise in demand for COVID-19 tests, are posing to be lesser known laboratories providing testing. They are even going to the extent of collecting samples and then sending no or fake reports."

Nagrale also appealed to the citizens to visit or book appointments only with ICMR-approved laboratories for tests. He asked people to add 'fraud' before a specific laboratory while searching it online, as this will help people get an idea about its past record and if it was involved in any fraudulent activities.