TeeRoy's 2 Cents:
- This is very serious stuff. Fake masks used by medical personnel in hospitals could put lives at risk.
- Many of the fake masks ended up with Washington state.
- Most people wouldn't even know if they were wearing a counterfeit N95 mask.
The Department of Homeland Security has seized more than 11 million counterfeit N95 masks, many of which were going to hospitals and other medical facilities.
An investigation found that the fake masks, which claimed to be manufactured by American company 3M, were actually made in China. Homeland Security says it has notified 6000 possible recipients of the fake masks and advised them to carefully check their supplies. The department's ongoing investigation into COVID-related fraud has launched more than 800 criminal investigations, netting more than 227 arrests. Also, $33 million in illegal proceeds has been seized. (CNBC)