FBI warns of scams involving personal protective equipment

Hospitals are struggling to find masks, gloves and other medical equipment in the fight against COVID-19.

Now, the FBI is warning of scammers trying to rip off those in need.

Scammers are promising critical health care equipment to hospitals, health care providers and first responders, saying they have masks, gloves and other medical supplies needed most by those on the front lines.

With pressure to obtain these materials, purchasers may fall victim to false promises.

“Do they even have the items to begin with, and if they say they have those items, you want to ask for a picture of those items. If you look at the pictures, does it look like it’s a stock photo that they were able to download from the internet and send it to you? Even if they provide a picture with them standing in front of the items themselves, it begs the question are these items legitimate or are they counterfeit?” said Andrew Sekela, FBI special agent in Tampa.

We got an email from someone concerned the facemasks he bought online were not legit. He sent us pictures and we sent them to Collier County EMS Chief Tabitha Butcher.

“It’s a mask that’s manufactured in China, basically to mimic the N95 mask,” she said. “However, it hasn’t been approved by the FDA to be imported into the US for use at this time.”

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