The RCMP in Newfoundland and Labrador has been in combat with a new type of Internet crime emerging over the last few years, according to a press release issued Wednesday, Sept. 25. The Internet provides access to a borderless market. Police say several thousand websites are selling counterfeit and unauthorized drugs to Canadians.
Many websites pretend to be Canadian based pharmacies and trick the consumer into trusting their products. It involves taking victims money over the web in exchange for fake pharmaceutical drugs. In most cases, the consumer gets ripped off!
The counterfeit drug industry is growing. It has sales in the billions of dollars and people in Newfoundland and Labrador are victims as much as the rest of the world. The RCMP, in conjunction with other federal and worldwide enforcement agencies, has been successful in identifying and charging some criminal elements but there are still lots more to catch. Most counterfeit pills seized by the RCMP are shipped through mail centers or couriers in small or large quantities.
Police are advising people to obtain their prescriptions from pharmacists through medical doctors. Counterfeiters support child labour and abuse and these sources of pills are not safe.
If you know of such a crime please contact your local Detachment or if you wish to remain anonymous please contact CRIMESTOPPERS at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), TEXT at TIP190 or use the secure web tips @ www.nlcrimestoppers.com
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