{"id":148653,"date":"2021-12-31T17:58:01","date_gmt":"2021-12-31T17:58:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/?p=148653"},"modified":"2021-12-31T17:58:01","modified_gmt":"2021-12-31T17:58:01","slug":"selfish-hoarders-flogging-covid-lateral-flow-tests-for-up-to-100-on-ebay","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/world-news\/selfish-hoarders-flogging-covid-lateral-flow-tests-for-up-to-100-on-ebay\/","title":{"rendered":"‘Selfish’ hoarders flogging Covid lateral flow tests for up to \u00a3100 on eBay"},"content":{"rendered":"
People selling Covid-19 lateral flow tests online have been blasted for profiting from a nationwide shortage. <\/p>\n
Chancers are trying to cash in on testing kits they are believed to have received from the NHS for free. <\/p>\n
But as Omicron rapidly spreads across the UK and people rushed to check they were virus-free before seeing family for Christmas, demand for lateral flows has soared.<\/p>\n
Tests have been seen for sale online ranging from \u00a35 to a staggering \u00a3100 on the back of Prime Minister Boris Johnson's warning ahead of New Year's Eve celebrations.<\/p>\n
The UK Health Security Agency has announced eight million kits will be made available to pharmacies ahead of New Year's Eve, but many appear to be finding their way online to be sold for profit.<\/p>\n
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On Thursday, the M.E.N found the usually free testing kits were being flogged on Facebook, eBay and even an online auction house based in Stockport. <\/p>\n
Simon Charles Auctioneers and Valuers had four job lots of testing kits up for auction on its website on Thursday morning.<\/p>\n
Each lot contained either 15 or 20 kits and had each received bids of around \u00a35 as of 2pm this afternoon.<\/p>\n
Simon Charles Auctioneers have been contacted for comment. <\/p>\n
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Queen Mother's strict demand to military chiefs when she stayed at holiday home<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Meanwhile, one person on Facebook was selling lateral flow tests for \u00a35 each.<\/p>\n
Posting on the Didsbury M20 group, the person wrote: \u201c12 lateral flow tests for sale. \u00a35 per box but will do deal for more than 1.\u201d <\/p>\n
In response to the listing, one person posted: \u201cYou should be giving these away for free to people that need them not hoarding them for your own selfish gain!\u201d Another wrote: \u201cHow shameful of you.<\/p>\n
There is a shortage of these tests\u201d.<\/p>\n
When someone asked if the listing was a joke, the seller replied: \u201cThere\u2019s no joke they\u2019re in short supply right now so if you need them a fiver isn\u2019t that much\u201d.<\/p>\n
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Woman told to 'get over herself' after angry reaction to 'sexual' Secret Santa gift<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
An image of one \u2018unused and sealed\u2019 box of lateral flow tests was shared on social media, showing it on offer for \u00a3100 on Wednesday (December 29) before it was removed.<\/p>\n
Another box of rapid antigen tests was also reportedly on sale for \u00a39.99, which was also promptly removed from the site.<\/p>\n
For more incredible stories from the Daily Star, make sure you sign up to one of our newsletters<\/i> <\/b> here<\/i> <\/b> <\/p>\n
Website eBay said Covid-19 tests were banned for sale on its platform and there were "currently no lateral flow tests available for purchase" on the site.<\/p>\n
An eBay spokesperson told the M.E.N: \u201cCovid-19 tests are banned for sale on eBay.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe condemn anyone attempting to re-sell Covid tests provided by the NHS.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have filters in place to block these tests from making it onto the platform, and our policy team also regularly monitors for these items and any that do make it on site are immediately removed.\u201d<\/p>\n
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