Man accused of selling $70 Covid RATs to the vulnerable
A man has been accused of taking advantage of vulnerable people by allegedly selling single rapid antigen tests (RATs) for $70 at a Melbourne shopping centre.
The man was captured by a TikTok user who said she was disgusted by what she saw.
"Other than targeting a vulnerable community, Vermont South is full of old people and sick people," she said.
"There is a nursing home right behind this centre."
The woman recording the video said it was taken at Vermont South Shopping Centre in Victoria, and shows the man standing outside the centre with a sign advertising the RATs.
Although he folds up the sign when approached, the TikToker said it advertised the tests for $70 apiece.
He walks away when confronted by the woman filming the video.
The user told Yahoo News Australia centre management at Vermont South Shopping Centre said they are on the lookout for him and will take further action if he shows up again.
Users slam man's act: 'Just wrong'
Others on TikTok applauded the user for calling the man out.
"How are people literally defending him or saying it’s okay for him to do it? It’s literally ILLEGAL and so wrong," one user wrote.
"That's illegal report it," said another.
Vermont South Shopping Centre said they were aware of the incident that occurred.
"We do not condone such behaviour," a spokesperson told Yahoo News Australia.
"Security promptly spoke with the man depicted in the video, who subsequently left the premises."
Low supply of RATs nationwide
The video comes as Australians continue to struggle to find rapid antigen tests, with scarce supply driving up prices of RATs at some locations.
Australians have struggled to find RATs due to high demand when they became available as an efficient alternative to PCR testing. Such demand has led to inflated prices. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission are investigating hundreds of price-gouging claims.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) said some rapid tests were costing as much as $70 each on Monday, describing it as “concerning pricing”.
Strikes threatened as rapid antigen test crisis reaches boiling point
Warning of rapid antigen test scams as vendors sell them for $500
“At the extreme end, we have received reports or seen media coverage of tests costing up to $500 for two tests through online marketplaces, and over $70 per test through convenience stores, service stations and independent supermarkets, which is clearly outrageous,” ACCC chairman Rod Sims said.
“There are several businesses that have repeatedly come to our notice thanks to the information provided by the public. We are asking those businesses to urgently explain the prices they are charging.”
Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.
You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play.
