The European Union's law enforcement agency has revealed that fraudsters are producing and selling fake Coronavirus Test (PCR) negative certificates, in airports, stations and on the Internet across Europe, and in other countries, in the latest example of opportunistic crimes related to Coronavirus.
"As long as the travel restrictions remain in effect due to the Coronavirus measures, it is very possible that the production and sale of fake test certificates will spread," the European Union's Security Cooperation and Coordination Agency said.
"Due to the widely available technology, in the form of high-quality printers and various software, fraudsters can produce false or forged documents, and member states must exercise caution," she said.
Interpol had previously warned of criminal gangs selling fake Corona virus vaccines - or intending to steal real vaccines - and flooding the market with fake masks, hand sanitizers and other medical products that did not conform to international standards.
Seize fraudsters
A negative PCR test is required for travel in most countries of the world. Cases of fraud have been reported in the Netherlands, France, Spain and the United Kingdom. A man was arrested at Luton airport this month on suspicion of selling fake PCR test results.
Seven people, between the ages of 29 and 52, were detained at Charles de Gaulle, the largest airport in Paris, last November, and charged with forgery, collusion and fraud, after false PCR test certificates were sold to travelers for between 150 and 300 euros.
Police said the arrests were part of an investigation that began after a passenger on a flight to Addis Ababa registered a forged PCR test, and the seven face up to five years in prison and a fine of 375,000 euros if convicted.
Punish everyone
In Spain, the National Police last month arrested a woman accused of selling fake negative PCR certificates online.
The investigation began after the head of a medical laboratory in Madrid revealed to the police that the negative PCR certificates bearing the laboratory's name were "completely forged ... but very convincing."
Volume 0%
Algemeen Dagblad reported that WhatsApp and Snapchat accounts in the Netherlands, with names like Airplane Doctor and Digital Doctor, were routinely selling fake PCR test certificates with forged signatures to real doctors for between 50 and 60 euros.
"The crime of forgery can be punished with imprisonment, but buyers can also be punished for fraud, especially if they are infected with the virus and pass it on to another person," criminal lawyer Sander Jansen told the Dutch newspaper.
SOURCE ALQABAS
