In Donetsk region, police have exposed two criminal groups that set up the sale of fake COVID certificates
One group operated on the territory of the village of Nikolskoe, the other — in Mariupol. Health workers sold fake vaccination certificates with the entry of information into the electronic health system. The defendants were exposed by the regional head of police of Donetsk region and policemen of the Mariupol RUP.
The illegal scheme in Mariupol was documented by employees of the Migration Police Department, the Investigative Department of the GUNP in Donetsk region under the procedural leadership of the Donetsk Regional Prosecutor's Office.
Documenting the criminal activities of the four defendants lasted a month and a half. During this time, the police made five control purchases of fake vaccination certificates. It was established that the group includes a resident of Mariupol and three employees of a medical institution.
The 34-year-old Mariupol acted as an intermediary and sought among his acquaintances those who wanted to receive COVID certificates without actually introducing the vaccine, which would be displayed in the Action application. The cost of one such vaccine was 300-600 hryvnia.
On December 7, during searches at the vaccination center, at the place of residence of the defendants and in the car, the police seized money in the amount of UAH 106 600 obtained criminally, nine mobile phones, notebooks with black records, containers from under used vaccines, bank records cards and other physical evidence.
At this time, all persons who have received certificates in the indicated center will be checked.
A similar scheme was exposed by employees of the Mariupol district administration. The police found out that Covid certificates without vaccination are issued in the health care facility on the territory of the village of Nikolskoye.
Law enforcement officers found two women who were involved in forging vaccination certificates. For 500-2000 hryvnias, the participants forged certificates for persons who did not want to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
Vaccination certificates issued by the co-conspirators had all the features of an official document: issued and signed by an authorized person and certified by a seal in the established form, registered in the “eHealth” system of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine and connected to the Appendix “Diya”.
During the searches, the police seized cash, laptops, notebooks with rough records, containers from under used vaccines.
Currently, both facts are subject to pre-trial investigation of criminal proceedings initiated under Part 2 of Art. 361 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (Unauthorized interference in the operation of electronic computers (computers), automated systems, computer networks or telecommunication networks).
The sanction of the article provides for imprisonment for a term of three to six years with deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities for a period of up to three years.
We remind you that for the use of fake certificates there is also criminal liability under Article 358 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (Forgery of documents, seals, stamps and forms, sale or use of forged documents, seals, stamps).
Police Communications Department
Donetsk Oblast
