One scenario could be to force everyone to be vaccinated for something (maybe something they have created) and then insert an RFID chip while they have everybody 'in hand.' The RFID chip would be very >convenient< - no need for cash or credit card anymore - AND, if you are not where you are supposed to be, or if for some reason you 'fall out of favor', your chip gets turned off, and you can't buy food! Oh, along with this would be that home gardens are illegal.
AND - anyone who didn't get the vaccine, and chip, would, if he/she survived the real/fake epidemic, would be not able to buy anything legally, not having a chip.