'Dangerous To Human Body': CBI Warns Against Fake Methanol-Based Hand Sanitisers

Amid surging Coronavirus cases across India, CBI has alerted the police authorities in all the states and Union territories to remain vigilant about gangs using the modus operandi to make quick money.

(Representative Image/ Getty)

New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has warned the law enforcement agencies in all the states and UTs to be cautious of the fake and toxic hand sanitisers being circulated in the markets that could be highly dangerous for human body. According to the reports, CBI received an Interpol input warning about groups of racketeers manufacturing highly-toxic methanol based hand sanitisers. The Intelligence report also mentioned of the other gang posing as PPE and other COVID-19-related medical suppliers. Upon acknowledging the serious hazards of the toxic chemicals in the sanitisers, the CBI swung into action and immediately alerted the police authorities  in all the states and Union territories to remain vigilant about gangs using the modus operandi to make quick money. A PTI report quoted an agency source saying that some criminals are approaching hospitals and health authorities posing as representatives of manufacturers of PPE kits and other Covid-19-related protective gear. Taking due advantage of the pandemic which is witnessing shortage of healthcare essentials, the fraudsters reportedly take online advance payments from authorities and hospitals but after the receipt of payments, no deliveries are made. The Interpol agency also alerted about the fake hand sanitiser being made using methanol, a highly-toxic substance, as the base. The warning by the agency added that instances have been reported from other countries of use of spurious hand sanitiser during the COVID-19 pandemic. "Methanol can be highly toxic and dangerous for the human body," an official was quoted. Ever since the breakout of Coronavirus pandemic across the globe, several scams and fraud cases regarding fake equipment have been reported. Earlier in March this year, a unit producing fake sanitizer that offer no real germ killing property raided in the worst-hit state Maharashtra. (With inputs from PTI News Agency)