The SSU is uncovering crimes related to counterfeiting of COVID certificates and PCR test results. The previous day, such schemes were disrupted in Kyiv, Kharkiv and Ivano-Frankivsk. Daily, offenders issued several hundred counterfeits, their total income reached millions of hryvnias.

In Kyiv, the SSU exposed a large-scale scheme of faking vaccination certificates and PCR test results.

Counterfeiting was organized by three residents of Kyiv region, who rented 2 apartments in Kyiv to make up to 20 fraudulent certificates a day.

The scheme was in operation over a year. According to preliminary estimates, its monthly turnover was UAH 3 m (USD 115,000).

They found clients through Telegram. A printed fake certificate with client’s personal data was delivered via e-mail. After scanning a QR code, users were directed to a fake medical website.

A fake PCR test cost UAH 750 (USD 29), and a vaccination certificate - UAH 4,500 (USD 172).

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

• computers and office equipment for printing fakes with evidence of illegal activity;
• seals and stamps of health care institutions;
• medical report forms;
• UAH 1 m (USD 38,237) in cash.

In Kharkiv region, the SSU exposed a travel agency on selling fake COVID test results to customers.

The SSU exposed faking PCR test results and QR-codes in Kharkiv region.

The scheme was organized by owners of travel agencies that helped to prepare travel documents. They offered negative PCR test results to customers as a bonus.

Fraudulent documents were used for quick and unhindered crossing the border, as well as for evading the mandatory 14-day self-isolation upon the arrival to Ukraine.

The illegal mechanism has been in operation since the beginning of 2021. Certificates were issued within a working day for UAH 500 (USD 19) each. Every month, several hundred fake certificates were issued without physical examination or testing. An infected individual could freely obtain negative test results.

As part of investigative actions, law enforcement officers uncovered falsified PCR test certificates and documents confirming illegal activities.

In Prykarpattia region, the SSU exposed an owner of travel agencies on counterfeiting PCR test results.

In Ivano-Frankivsk region, an owner of travel agencies provided his clients with a full package of travel documents, including fake PCR test results.

To get the test results, the clients needed only to pay UAH 500 (USD 19).

According to the investigation, the offender used forms of medical labs to issue certificates. Then, he labeled the counterfeits with scanned seals of medical entities and doctors.

To support his activity, the offender set up a fake website similar to the page of a well-known medical lab. After scanning the QR-code, the user was redirected to the website with PCR test results displayed on the form of medical entity.

During the searches, the law enforcement seized forged certificates with negative PCR test results, records, bank cards used for transactions and other evidence of illegal activity.

The offenders have been notified of suspicion.

The SSU Offices in Dnipro, Kharkiv and Ivano-Frankivsk regions carried out the operations under the guidance of the SSU Directorate for CI Protection of Economic Security.

The SSU reminds that counterfeiting COVID test results and vaccination certificates is an offence under the Administrative and the Criminal Codes of Ukraine.