Misselling health products online is being investigated by Italian police. “A kit that included just two masks, two pairs of gloves and a PVC suit was sold for 400 euros ($445),” Giovanni Lupi, who led the investigation in Turin.
People had advertised products, such as herbal supplements, promising without any evidence that they would offer protection against the disease.
Auto parts dealers, farmers, door-to-door salesmen who people who had no prior sales experience were under investigation.
Costs of hygiene products have risen steeply in Italy since the crisis first came to light on Feb 20., with pharmacies and stores rapidly selling out of masks and gels.
Criminals were disguising themselves as health inspectors and using fake identity papers to gain access to people’s houses to steal money or other valuables.