Coronavirus: Police issue warning over fakes as DIY test hits the market

Police have issued an urgent warning about fake coronavirus checks as a £125 DIY test that can be done at home in 15 minutes hits the market.

UK-based AlphaBiolabs are charging £125 for the kit, which can detect whether people have the virus before symptoms appear from a small blood sample.

Their website claims the home test, which just requires a "simple finger-prick" is a “world-first”.

Meanwhile, it has emerged that criminals are targeting vulnerable elderly victims by approaching them on their doorsteps and offering them fake tests in exchange for cash.

Police are warning people over fake DIY kits. Picture: Jane Barlow\Getty Images

One force described the scam as an "emerging trend".

Reports include criminals posing as police officers and gaining entry to properties before stealing from inside.

The new 'do it yourself' kit from Warrington-based AlphaBiolabs is targeted at firms which could benefit from quickly screening their workforce for Covid-19.

A blood sample is taken and put into a small device to which two or three drops of testing fluid are added.

Results are returned within 15 minutes in a detection window, like the ones seen on pregnancy tests.

The AlphaBiolabs website says: "The simple-to-use immunoassay testing device can be administered in your home or office address and requires a small amount of blood from a simple finger prick.

"You can get the results within 15 minutes.

"The accurate screening IgM-IgG Combined Antibody Rapid Test is one of the world's first for the detection of a coronavirus infection.

"It is similar to the type that was widely used by the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention to help identify COVID-19 infections.

"The qualitative test works by detecting both early and late marker antibodies in human finger-prick blood samples.

"As such, it can also provide information on the stage of infection."

The kit costs £125 plus VAT and can be ordered from the AlphaBiolabs website.