Scammers selling fake Covid tests and Chinese medicine online

Police have found scammers selling fake Covid rapid tests and fake Chinese medicine Lianhua Qingwen capsules on the internet and remind people not to purchase medication from online stores.

Officers released the latest chart on the top 10 high-risk goods in online shopping scams on Facebook, with the top three being handbags, smartphones and gaming devices. They are followed by items such as wireless earphones, jewelry and watches.

While fake Covid rapid tests ranked 10th on the list, police said it is their first time discovering scammers deceiving customers with fake kits.

There are also scammers pretending to be a pharmaceutical manufacturer and selling fake Chinese medicine Lianhua Qingwen capsules on their social media pages, police said, with some using the logo of the Department of Health as the profile picture.

Police said they have contacted the local agent for the Lianhua Qingwen capsule, who said they did not set up social media pages to sell the capsules.

According to Article 119 of Cap 549 Chinese Medicine Ordinance, no person shall sell, import or possess any unregistered proprietary Chinese medicine. Any person who is found guilty could be liable to a maximum fine of HK$100,000 and two years' imprisonment.

"Regardless of whether the products are related to scams, consumers lack protection if they purchase proprietary Chinese medicine at unknown online shops," police said. "Consuming proprietary Chinese medicine that is not registered in Hong Kong could also pose risks to health."

A pack of 24 Lianhua Qingwen capsules manufactured by Shijiazhuang Yiling Pharmaceutical in the mainland is being sold at HK$49 at Watsons.

The packaging said users should take four capsules at a time thrice a day, and there is talk that the capsules which are for "discharging heat and detoxing" could also treat Covid infections.

Chuan Chiong Co, which is the Hong Kong agent for the capsule, said it noticed there were unregistered or fake capsules being sold in Hong Kong.

The agent said there are four anti-counterfeiting features on the genuine products.

Among them, the packaging should have the logos of Chuan Chiong Co Ltd and the drug manufacturer - Shijiazhuang Yiling Pharmaceutical - as well as the registration number "HKC-18059" printed on.

carine.chow@singtaonewscorp.com