This article is from the source 'rtcom' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.rt.com/news/522784-spanish-police-arrest-fake-covid-certificate/
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Spanish police bust pharmacy worker accused of selling fake Covid-19 test results | Spanish police bust pharmacy worker accused of selling fake Covid-19 test results |
| (4 months later) | |
| A pharmacy employee suspected of providing fake negative Covid-19 test certificates to travelers has been detained by Spanish police. The suspect is said to have operated his own travel agency to help market the phony documents. | A pharmacy employee suspected of providing fake negative Covid-19 test certificates to travelers has been detained by Spanish police. The suspect is said to have operated his own travel agency to help market the phony documents. |
| The 24-year-old man, who was arrested in El Ejido, in southern Spain, allegedly asked for €130 ($156) for each fake certificate. He provided the illicit service to Morroccan citizens who needed proof that they had tested negative for the virus before traveling home. | The 24-year-old man, who was arrested in El Ejido, in southern Spain, allegedly asked for €130 ($156) for each fake certificate. He provided the illicit service to Morroccan citizens who needed proof that they had tested negative for the virus before traveling home. |
| According to local media, the suspect was able to access the computer of a laboratory that issued Covid-19 certificates, and falsified the documents by changing the name of the patient who had been tested. | According to local media, the suspect was able to access the computer of a laboratory that issued Covid-19 certificates, and falsified the documents by changing the name of the patient who had been tested. |
| The pharmacy worker reportedly used his knowledge of Arabic to help attract clients. To further capitalize on the illegal trade, he had a second job operating his own travel business and selling plane tickets. Customers in need of Covid-19 certificates were referred to the pharmacy so he could provide them with fake test results. It’s believed that he acted alone. | The pharmacy worker reportedly used his knowledge of Arabic to help attract clients. To further capitalize on the illegal trade, he had a second job operating his own travel business and selling plane tickets. Customers in need of Covid-19 certificates were referred to the pharmacy so he could provide them with fake test results. It’s believed that he acted alone. |
| The arrest was made after the police began to suspect there was a black market in the area that was providing travelers with false documents. At the end of April, law enforcement officials launched Operation Pharmacy in the hope of catching who was behind the illicit operation. | The arrest was made after the police began to suspect there was a black market in the area that was providing travelers with false documents. At the end of April, law enforcement officials launched Operation Pharmacy in the hope of catching who was behind the illicit operation. |
| So far, police have identified seven cases in which fraudulent test results were used to facilitate travel to Morocco, but the authorities are continuing to investigate because they believe more counterfeits could be found. | So far, police have identified seven cases in which fraudulent test results were used to facilitate travel to Morocco, but the authorities are continuing to investigate because they believe more counterfeits could be found. |
| Spain isn’t the only country dealing with fake Covid-19 certificates. Last month, a representative of the UK’s immigration service told MPs that, each day, around 100 fake documents are used in an attempt to show a negative Covid-19 status and gain entry to the country. | Spain isn’t the only country dealing with fake Covid-19 certificates. Last month, a representative of the UK’s immigration service told MPs that, each day, around 100 fake documents are used in an attempt to show a negative Covid-19 status and gain entry to the country. |
| READ MORE: Thousands of Israelis return to normal life with forged 'Green Pass' as vaccine refuseniks otherwise barred from venues | READ MORE: Thousands of Israelis return to normal life with forged 'Green Pass' as vaccine refuseniks otherwise barred from venues |
| In Israel, thousands of Israelis have reportedly turned to the black market to obtain a fake Green Pass showing proof of vaccination against Covid-19. The document is needed for travel as well as to enter certain venues or carry out other day-to-day activities. | In Israel, thousands of Israelis have reportedly turned to the black market to obtain a fake Green Pass showing proof of vaccination against Covid-19. The document is needed for travel as well as to enter certain venues or carry out other day-to-day activities. |
| Think your friends would be interested? Share this story! | Think your friends would be interested? Share this story! |
| Dear readers and commenters, | |
| We have implemented a new engine for our comment section. We hope the transition goes smoothly for all of you. Unfortunately, the comments made before the change have been lost due to a technical problem. We are working on restoring them, and hoping to see you fill up the comment section with new ones. You should still be able to log in to comment using your social-media profiles, but if you signed up under an RT profile before, you are invited to create a new profile with the new commenting system. | |
| Sorry for the inconvenience, and looking forward to your future comments, | |
| RT Team. |