The SSU exposed criminal networks on counterfeiting and selling fake COVID-certificates and PCR tests. The illegal activities were disrupted in Kyiv, Lviv and Rivne regions. In total, offenders issued over 10,000 fakes.

In Kyiv, a network of three centers faking COVID-19 vaccination certificates and PCR test results was in operation over six months.

The network was organized by an EU citizen. He involved in illegal activities:

• owners of Ukrainian travel agencies who grew a customer base;
• doctors who entered false information in medical databases;
• citizens of Ukraine who made counterfeits.

The network offered a wide range of services: counterfeiting Ukrainian and international vaccination certificates as well as COVID documents supposedly issued by government agencies and health care institutions of other countries.

The customer base reached 6,000 clients from almost all regions of Ukraine, including temporarily occupied territories, citizens of Russia and other states.

A fake PCR test result cost UAH 700-800 (USD 29-30), an international vaccination certificate - UAH 3,000 (USD 115). Registering a false vaccination in the database was priced at UAH 10,000 (USD 383).

According to preliminary estimates, offenders’ total proceeds reached UAH 10 m (USD 382,642).

The law enforcement is now aware of specific cases of entering false vaccinations into databases. Such information will be deleted from the system.

Searches of offenders’ offices and homes led to the seizure of:

• duplicate seals of health care institutions and medical forms, including foreign ones, used for counterfeits;
• prepared fake documents;
• computers and storage devices containing correspondence with customers;
• accounting records and 6,000-customer database.

The organizer of the scheme has been detained and notified of suspicion of document forgery. His accomplices will also receive suspicion notices.

The investigation is ongoing to identify all individuals, including customers, involved and to bring culprits to justice.

In Lviv region, the SSU exposed an international group on large-scale COVID-19 vaccination fraud.

The organizer coordinated the illegal activity from the territory of a neighboring European country.

Residents of Lviv and Lviv region have been forging vaccination certificates for over 4 months. They involved doctors who entered clients’ personal data into the eHealth system.

A fake international COVID-certificate cost EUR 250, a national certificate – UAH 1800-2000 (USD 69-76).

The offenders forged 10-15 certificates a day; their total monthly income reached UAH 500,000 (USD 19,132).

Searches of offenders’ offices and homes led to the seizure of:

• computers used for breaking into the database of Ukrainian NHS;
• fake vaccination certificates;
• duplicates of seals and stamps of health care institutions authorized to vaccinate and issue certificates.

The organizer and two of his accomplices have been notified of suspicion of fraud and document forgery.

The investigation is ongoing to establish all circumstances of the offence and identify other individuals involved.

In Rivne region, the SSU exposed two residents of Dubno on faking COVID-certificates. The offenders forged documents using personal data of licensed doctors and medical institutions of Ukraine.

They searched for clients through social media. Fake certificates were delivered via postal services throughout Ukraine.

Counterfeits cost UAH 3000-4000 (USD 115-153), depending on the urgency. Customers transferred money to offenders’ bank accounts.

During the searches, the following items were found and seized:

• mobile phones, computers and flash drives containing correspondence with potential customers and their personal data;
• electronic files of international vaccination certificates;
• duplicates of stamps and seals of health care institutions;
• bank cards used to receive payments.

The investigation into document forgery is underway to identify all individuals involved.

The SSU Main Directorate for Counterintelligence Protection of Economic Security carried out the operations jointly with regional SSU Offices and the National Police investigators under the supervision of prosecutors.