Security News > 2020 > December > US Treasury warns of ransomware targeting COVID-19 vaccine research
The US Treasury Department's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network warned financial institutions of ransomware actively targeting vaccine research organizations.
"FinCEN is aware of ransomware directly targeting vaccine research, and FinCEN asks financial institutions to stay alert to ransomware targeting vaccine delivery operations as well as the supply chains required to manufacture the vaccines," the US Treasury Department bureau warned [PDF].
"COVID-19 vaccine fraud may include the sale of unapproved and illegally marketed vaccines, the sale of counterfeit versions of approved vaccines, and illegal diversion of legitimate vaccines," FinCEN added.
"Already, fraudsters have offered, for a fee, to provide potential victims with the vaccine sooner than permitted under the applicable vaccine distribution plan."
Over 275,000 Americans have reported financial losses of more than $211 million due to COVID-19-related scams this year according to the FTC. Threat actors including nation-state hackers [1, 2] have also targeted organizations associated or involved in the COVID-19 vaccine cold chain and research throughout the year.