⏱ 2 min read
A California biolab operator, Jia Bei Zhu, 64, has been found guilty of selling over a million fake COVID tests for nearly $4 million to customers across the US. The scheme, which involved Zhu’s company Universal Meditech Inc. (UMI), was uncovered in Fresno, California, where Zhu lied to the FDA about his identity and role with UMI. The motive behind the crime was to exploit the public health crisis for personal gain.
The guilty verdict was announced by U.S. Attorney Eric Grant after a two-week trial. According to Grant, Zhu’s actions put lives at risk by repackaging low-quality, foreign-made test kits and selling them as FDA-approved. The unlawful operations at the Reedley laboratory were also tied to the scheme, which deliberately deceived the public when accuracy and reliability were critical.
The FDA and FBI worked together to investigate the case, with the FDA Office of Criminal Investigations, Los Angeles Field Office, playing a key role. Special Agent in Charge Robert Iwanicki stated that the defendant’s scheme undermined public health during a critical time by distributing misbranded and falsely represented medical devices.
The verdict is a result of diligent investigative work and a strong partnership between law enforcement agencies. FBI Sacramento Special Agent in Charge Sid Patel noted that Zhu chose to profit from the public health crisis by misrepresenting the origin, quality, and FDA approval status of his tests.
📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Defendant: California
- Location: CA
- Source: DOJ Press Release
