US coronavirus fraud losses near US$100mil as Covid scams double

A report highlighted the vast scope of a fast-growing criminal cottage industry – from phony stimulus-check offers to shopping scams and fake cures – preying on Americans already distressed by the pandemic and its economic fallout. — Dreamstime/TNS

LOS ANGELES: US losses from coronavirus-related fraud and identity theft have reached nearly US$100mil (RM419.45mil) since the pandemic emerged in March, while complaints of Covid-19 scams have at least doubled in most states, a consumer protection group said on Tuesday.

A report from the group, based on government data, highlighted the vast scope of a fast-growing criminal cottage industry – from phony stimulus-check offers to shopping scams and fake cures – preying on Americans already distressed by the pandemic and its economic fallout.