Skip to content
Edit post

SBU uncovers largest operation selling fraudulent Covid-19 certification

by Sergiy Slipchenko December 14, 2021 7:35 PM 1 min read
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has unveiled a large operation of counterfeit Covid-19 documentation on Dec. 14, 2021. (Kyiv Police)
This audio is created with AI assistance

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has uncovered the largest operation producing fake Covid-19 documentation and distributing it throughout the whole country, according to a Dec. 14 announcement.

The operation generated around $185,000 a month, based on preliminary estimates.

According to documents obtained by the SBU from the alleged perpetrators' residence, as many as 2,000 fake entries were put into government databases per month. The operation involved several heads of medical institutions and six family doctors in various regions throughout Ukraine.

The schemers would falsify vaccination documentation and enter data into the Diia government app that tracks Covid-19 vaccination certificates. The average cost for such services was $110-150 per individual.

During the searches, law enforcement confiscated evidence which included international vaccination certificates, computer equipment, mobile phones and bank cards.

The SBU has arrested two Kyiv residents in charge of the operation. The agency said it would continue its investigation and bring everyone involved to justice.

Ukraine has had numerous similar operations shut down since the beginning of the pandemic. Their services are popular due to the high levels of vaccine skepticism bolstered by misinformation. According to a UNICEF study published on Nov. 5, around 54.6% of unvaccinated Ukrainians said they would refuse the jab.

According to the health ministry, a total of 32.6% of Ukrainians have received both doses required for immunization as of Dec. 13.

News Feed

6:15 AM  (Updated: )

Russian drone strike in Mykolaiv kills 5, injures 1.

Four people were killed and one 45-year-old woman was hospitalized following the attack, Governor Vitalii Kim said. Search and rescue operations have reportedly been completed.
2:20 PM

Ukraine launches largest drone attack on Moscow.

Russian air defense shot down 70 Ukrainian drones, including 34 in Moscow Oblast, in Ukraine’s largest drone attack on the Russian capital, the Russian Defense Ministry reported on Nov. 10.
4:34 AM

EU preparing 15th sanctions package against Russia, targeting foreign-made parts.

"We have to strengthen anti-sanctions circumvention measures because Russia cannot produce (weaponry) without imported parts, chips and other components," the EU's chief diplomat, Josep Borrell, said at a news conference in Kyiv. "We should use sanctions to isolate Russia's industrial capabilities from imports from other countries."
MORE NEWS

Editors' Picks

Enter your email to subscribe
Please, enter correct email address
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required

Subscribe

* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Explaining Ukraine with Kate Tsurkan
* indicates required
Successfuly subscribed
Thank you for signing up for this newsletter. We’ve sent you a confirmation email.