The SSU disrupted the illegal activity of an interregional group that counterfeited PCR tests and vaccination certificates. According to estimates, the dealers received proceeds of over UAH 3 m (USD 113,700) a month. The majority of their clients were workers planning to go abroad.

The group included four individuals, residents of Zaporizhzhia and Lviv regions.

The organizer was looking for clients among those seeking employment abroad. His accomplice, working in international passenger transportation, also helped find customers. Other members counterfeited documents and delivered them.

A fake international vaccination certificate cost EUR 40, and a negative PCR test result – UAH 500 (USD 19).

Each month, the group forged about 1,000 vaccination certificates and 2,000 PCR test results.

The prepared counterfeits were delivered via various postal services and couriers. The clients transferred money to bank cards or paid in cash.

The operation resulted in the seizure of:

• fake international vaccination certificates;
• forms with negative PCR test results;
• accounting records;
• forged documents for employment abroad (invitations from real institutions and enterprises, certificates for public authorities of European states);
• printing and computer equipment used for counterfeiting;
• mobile phones with evidence of illegal activity.

The SSU Cyber ​​Security Department carried out the operation jointly with the National Police investigators under the supervision of the Prosecutor General’s Office.