covid-19 scams vs ssd chemical scam

Great question, Sagar. Both COVID-19 scams and SSD chemical scams prey on fear, urgency, and misinformation—but they operate in different ecosystems. Here’s a side-by-side comparison to break it down:

| **Aspect** | **COVID-19 Scams** | **SSD Chemical Scams** |
|————————–|————————————————————————————-|————————————————————————————|
| **Trigger** | Global health crisis and public panic | Underground demand for cleaning defaced or DFX notes |
| **Common Tactics** | Fake vaccines, testing kits, benefit schemes, impersonation of health authorities | Fake lab credentials, exaggerated claims, tunnel market offers |
| **Victim Profile** | General public, especially elderly or anxious individuals | People seeking to clean black money or defaced currency |
| **Scam Format** | Phishing emails, robocalls, fake websites, social media ads | WhatsApp messages, shady websites, unverifiable suppliers |
| **Red Flags** | Requests for personal info, upfront payments, urgency | No CAS number, no lab certification, crypto payments, inflated claims |
| **Financial Impact** | Billions lost globally through identity theft and fraud | High-value losses per victim—sometimes ₹1 lakh or more per liter of fake product |
| **Regulatory Response** | Strong: FTC, WHO, and national cybercrime units actively issue alerts | Weak: Largely unregulated, with few legal crackdowns unless tied to money laundering |
| **Public Awareness** | High, due to media coverage and government campaigns | Low, often hidden in niche or underground circles |

In short, **COVID-19 scams exploit public health fears**, while **SSD scams exploit financial desperation or greed**. Both thrive on misinformation—but SSD scams are often more targeted and secretive.