Federal Authorities Foil Scheme To Sell N95 Masks To U.S. Hospitals

In March, a scheme involving nonexistent N95 masks was uncovered. The Service Employees International Union United Healthcare Workers West claimed to have found a distributor for 39 million masks. The Justice Department investigated, suspecting fraud. The FBI identified a Pennsylvania man as a middleman, with connections to a broker in Australia and a supplier in Kuwait. Authorities believe the masks never existed, and the scheme was stopped before any money was exchanged. The broker and supplier may face federal charges.

What was the union's plan for the 39 million N95 masks they found?

• To donate them to international organizations

• To sell them to the highest bidder

• To keep them for future use

• To distribute them to healthcare facilities

Why did the Justice Department become interested in the N95 mask case?

• They wanted to purchase the masks for government use

• They suspected the masks might not exist

• They were informed about a potential price gouging

• They were contacted by the union for assistance

Who was identified as the middleman in the N95 mask scheme?

• A healthcare worker in the U.S.

• A broker in Australia

• A man in Pennsylvania

• A supplier in Kuwait

What charges could the broker and supplier face in the N95 mask case?

• Wire fraud and other federal charges

• Tax evasion

• Money laundering

• Identity theft

What was the outcome of the N95 mask scheme before any transactions occurred?

• The union decided to cancel the order

• The masks were successfully delivered

• The scheme was disrupted

• The masks were sold to another country