September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attack/Opportunists

There were isolated cases of commercial opportunism following the September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attack and subsequent 2001 anthrax attack. Perhaps the most widespread form was gasoline price gouging that occurred across the United States.

Several people fraudulently collected benefits for people who did not exist or engaged in other scams. At least $2.5 million was fraudulently taken.

Following the anthrax attacks, sales of Cipro and gas masks exploded, with e-mail spam from mail-order companies fanning fear to prop up sales.

Critics of the airline industry bailout considered that to be a form of illegitimate opportunism.

See also Misinformation and rumors.

• Story on anthrax spam (http://www.cincypost.com/2001/oct/13/cipro101301)
• A LINGERING LEGACY: Nothing Is Off Limits to Fraud (http://www.nytimes.com/2003/01/05/weekinreview/05BARR), The New York Times, January 5, 2002