Guam Grifter Peddled Fake Virus Shields, Gets Probation

HAGATÑA, GUAM – Kwong Yau Lam, 67, a Hong Kong citizen and Guam permanent resident, has been sentenced to one year of probation for defrauding Guam residents with bogus virus protection cards. The sentence, handed down in U.S. District Court, comes after Lam was found guilty of Distribution and Sale of Unregistered Pesticide, in violation of 7 U.S.C. §§ 136j(a)(1)(A) and 136l(b)(1)(B), and Conspiracy to Distribute and Sell Unregistered Pesticide, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371. He was also ordered to pay a $150.00 special assessment fee.

The scheme, launched in March 2020, involved selling “Virus Shut Out Cards” – flimsy pieces of plastic marketed as shields against viruses, including COVID-19. Lam sold 100 of these cards to merchants on Guam, falsely claiming they offered actual protection. He then attempted to import 900 more from a relative in Hong Kong, but U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Honolulu intercepted the shipment. Despite the seizure, Lam initially lied to Homeland Security Investigations agents, claiming he hadn’t sold any cards and hadn’t sought approval for the import.

“This case is another shocking example of a false claim made to consumers during the initial stages of the pandemic,” stated U.S. Attorney Shawn N. Anderson. “The defendant preyed upon consumers who were justifiably concerned for their personal health and safety due to COVID-19. This was made worse by the potential harmful effects of the product itself.” The cards, of course, were useless, offering no real defense against viral transmission.

Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge John F. Tobon emphasized the agency’s commitment to public safety: “We will continue to pursue those who rob and hurt the people in our communities and make sure they are held accountable for exploiting a pandemic for profit.” The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also weighed in, with Special Agent in Charge Scot Adair noting that unregistered pesticide products like these “pose serious public health dangers.” The EPA had previously taken action to block the importation and sale of the ‘Toamit Virus Shut Out’ cards.

Federal law, specifically the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), requires pesticides – any substance intended to repel or mitigate pests, including viruses – to be registered with the EPA. Lam’s ‘Virus Shut Out’ cards were never registered, making their distribution and sale illegal. He imported the cards from China and then peddled them to vulnerable residents of Guam.

The investigation was a collaborative effort involving U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Customs & Border Protection, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Guam Customs & Quarantine Agency, and the Guam Environmental Protection Agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Marivic P. David handled the prosecution. While Lam received a lenient sentence of probation, the case serves as a warning: exploiting public fear during a crisis will not be tolerated.