In Vinnytsia and Bukovyna, the SSU has exposed criminals who forged COVID vaccination certificates and PCR tests on a massive scale. The fraudsters ‘served’ over 1,000 customers every month and had millions in profits from their illegal activities.

In Bukovyna, the offenders offered a ‘bundle deal’: they forged travel documents including COVID-19 vaccination certificates and negative PCR results.

According to the investigation, 11 residents of Chernivtsi region organized the scheme. If necessary, they involved medical workers.

The group had two offices in Chernivtsi offering a wide range of ‘services’ for both citizens of Ukraine and foreigners.

The fraudsters promised Ukrainian citizens to issue passports of other states, including IDs and international driver’s licenses, documents needed for employment abroad: job offers, certificates issued by foreign state authorities, enterprises, institutions, organizations certified by appropriate signatures and seals.

Certificates with negative PCR test results and COVID-19 international vaccination certificates were offered to ensure unimpeded border crossing.

Foreigners were also offered certificates of PCR tests, supposedly carried out in foreign countries, as well as a full package of documents for travel, employment and legalization of stay in the EU. The ‘services’ were provided at short notice and without visiting any medical institutions. 

The fraudsters misled their ‘clients’ assuring them that they would issue genuine European documents.

Instead, they sold them fakes charging from UAH 200 (7 USD) for a fake PCR test certificate up to EUR 650 for a full package of documents for a Ukrainian citizen to go abroad, including a vaccination certificate.

The offenders found ‘clients’ through personal contacts. According to preliminary data, the group had about 1,000 ‘customers’ a month, which brought them almost UAH 1 mln (USD 36,500) of ‘income’.

The law enforcement conducted 18 searches at the offices, permanent and temporary homes of suspects and seized:

• fake seals and stamps of Ukrainian and foreign companies;
• forms ready for placing protective holograms;
• special equipment for document forging;
• computer equipment with evidence of illegal activity;
• counterfeit certificates with seals of doctors and medical institutions;
• EUR 8,450 and USD 2,800.

The investigation into fraud is ongoing to identify and bring to justice all those involved.

The SSU Office in Chernivtsi region carried out the operation together with the National Police investigators under the supervision of Chernivtsi Regional Prosecutor’s Office.

In Vinnytsia region, the SSU exposed a private family doctor on selling COVID-19 vaccination certificates.

Upon patients’ requests, he issued vaccination certificates (Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine). Actually, the patients were not vaccinated. The doctor charged UAH 1,000 – 1,500 (USD 36-54) for such ‘services’.

The search of the suspect’s office led to the seizure of:

• almost 100 fake COVID certificates;
• records with lists of vaccinated patients;
• forms of international vaccination certificates.

The doctor is going to be notified of suspicion of fraud.

An investigation is underway to bring to justice all those involved.

The SSU Office in Vinnytsia region carried out the operation together with the National Police investigators under the supervision of Vinnytsia District Prosecutor’s Office.

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