The SSU has exposed more schemes of counterfeiting and selling fake COVID certificates. Special operations in Lviv and Vinnytsia regions resulted in dismantling criminal networks that ‘vaccinated’ on paper about 500 patients per month.

An entire outpatient clinic in Lviv region was engaged in counterfeiting COVID certificates. The fraudsters systematically issued certificates without actually injecting the vaccine. According to preliminary information, the medics issued up to 20 fakes per day. The scheme had been operating for six months.

According to the investigation, the fraudulent arrangement was set up by doctors of one of the medical institutions in the region. The medics entered invalid vaccination data into the eHealth system with no vaccine actually administered.

The doctors also engaged paramedics in the scheme. Relatives, friends, acquaintances were involved in search for ‘clients’, ready to pay from UAH 2,000 to 3,500 (USD 75 to 130) for a fake vaccination certificate.

Investigation is underway within the criminal proceeding opened under Article 190.3 (fraud) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

The other exposed network operated in Vinnytsia region and was organized by family doctors of a local public health facility. The doctors found ‘clients’ among patients who did not want to be vaccinated as well as through intermediaries.

For several months, the fraudsters issued up to 5 fake certificates per day. They charged from UAH 3,500 to UAH 7,500 (USD 130 to 280) for making a fake and entering false information into the eHealth system.

The searches of the suspects’ homes and offices led to seizure of:

• mobile phones with evidence of illegal activities;
• forged certificates on vaccination and COVID vaccination certificates;
• records with a list of ‘vaccinated’ persons.

Currently, the investigators are preparing notification of suspicion of an offence under Article 362.3 (unauthorized actions with data on computers, in automated systems and networks, committed by a person entitled to access to such information) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

Investigation is underway to bring to justice all those involved.

The SSU Offices in Lviv and Vinnytsia regions carried out the operations together with the National Police under the supervision of regional prosecutor’s offices.

The Security Service of Ukraine reminds that counterfeiting documents and using such, including COVID-19 vaccination certificates, is an offence under the Administrative and Criminal Codes of Ukraine.