Iran's Legislative Policy in dealing with Fraud During COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The fear of the coronavirus has led to various types of scams related to the virus on the internet and in people’s homes, including in Iran. Scams include fraud through corona vaccine cards, fake coronavirus tests, counterfeit drugs, phishing fraud, and sites selling masks at exorbitant prices. Criminals have also been visiting homes for corona testing or disinfection, and using the pretext of livelihood loans or pre-sale advertisements of tourist tours with corona vaccine injections. As the COVID-19 virus spreads, Iran’s legislative policy has been to punish criminals to maintain the psychological safety of society. However, implementing legal principles in emergencies like this can be challenging, especially when ensuring the right to health and compliance with the basic human rights of criminals or their rehabilitation is necessary. Therefore, criminal policymakers should identify technological punishments and penal policies that are suitable for emergencies. They should create suitable grounds for achieving the goals of criminal justice in these circumstances. This article uses the descriptive-analytical method to explain Iran’s legal criminal policy towards criminals in the coronavirus era. It examines the principles of human rights and criminal principles that lead to appropriate legislative policies in upcoming events like COVID-19. The paper concludes that Iran’s legislative policy in emergencies like Corona is severe punishment of criminals to maintain the psychological safety of society. However, it also seeks to rehabilitate the criminals.