A New York prosecutor on Tuesday called on social media platforms like Facebook to take more action against the internet trafficking of fake COVID-19 vaccine certificates, a phenomenon that worries the United States, by announcing the dismantling of a cell.
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A total of fifteen people were charged Tuesday by Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance, including an alleged 31-year-old supplier, suspected of selling some 250 vaccination certificates, around $ 200 apiece. All via the Instagram network where she subscribed under the name of @ AntiVaxMomma.
Another suspect, a 27-year-old medical clinic worker, was charged, for an additional $ 250, to enter the names of fake vaccines into the New York State registry that feeds a digital passport, l ‘Excelsior Pass.
The thirteen other defendants, all suspected of having acquired false certificates, work in establishments open to the public, such as hospitals and retirement homes, the prosecutor’s statement said.
“We will continue to protect public health in New York by initiating investigations like this, but the stakes of fake vaccination cards are too high to tackle them with piecemeal procedures,” said the prosecutor.
“We need companies like Facebook to take action to prevent fraud happening on their platforms. Making, selling and buying fake vaccination cards are serious crimes with serious consequences for public safety, ”added Cyrus Vance.
In New York State, the country’s fourth largest by population (about 20 million people), vaccination will be mandatory for all caregivers in September and all state officials will also be required to submit or receive vaccination. test every week.
For its part, New York City has made vaccination mandatory to access almost all indoor activities, from restaurants to cinemas to gyms, but controls and penalties will come into effect from September 13. .
US authorities such as the FBI or the Federal Trade Commission have issued several official warnings against the supply or manufacture of fake vaccination cards, while voices have pointed out that they are easy to make.
On August 13, customs at the Port of Memphis announced that they had made 121 seizures of containers so far this year, comprising a total of 3,017 fake cards, cargo routinely coming from China.
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