NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – More than a dozen people were charged on Tuesday with a false conspiracy against the COVID-19 vaccination card.
The fake cards were allegedly sold on social media and buyers are believed to have similar careers, Alice Gainer of CBS2 reported.
About half of the 15 people charged with crimes were prosecuted in Manhattan criminal court.
READ MORE: Law Enforcement Begins to Advance Search for Fake Vaccination Card Vendors
Jasmine Clifford, 31, of Lyndhurst, New Jersey, is said to have sold 250 fake COVID-19 vaccination cards via Instagram and worked with Nadayza Barkley, 27, who works at a medical clinic in Patchogue, to enter at least ten people into the New York State immunization information system database.
Prosecutors said 13 people who bought the fake cards are also charged and are believed to work in front-line positions and essential employees, such as hospitals and residences.
COVID VACCINE
According to court documents, as of this May, Clifford announced the fake vaccine cards through his Instagram account, @antivaxmomma, charging about $ 200. It is assumed that for an additional $ 250 buyers could get their name from the state vaccine database.
FLASHBACK: Senator Schumer Urges Law Enforcement After Fake Vaccination Cards Sold On Internet
Cy Vance Jr., a Manhattan district attorney, said: “Companies like Facebook are taking steps to prevent fraud on their platforms. The manufacture, sale and purchase of counterfeit vaccination cards are serious crimes with serious consequences for public safety. “.
“We forbid anyone to buy or sell fake, or even genuine, COVID-19 vaccine cards. We withdrew Mrs Clifford’s account in early August for breaching our rules and will review any other accounts that may do the same, ”a Facebook spokesperson told CBS2 in a statement.“ We appreciate the DA’s work in this topic and we will remove this content whenever we find it “.
CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC
Meanwhile, the city said it is training companies to be on the lookout for counterfeits.
“We’re showing real templates, so it’s clear how a company can manage it and make it work, and also how to know when there’s a fake vaccination card and what to do with it,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio .
“These are free weekly online trainings also every Wednesday,” added Small Business Services Commissioner Jonnel Doris.
They said posters will be posted at the companies to inform people where the nearest vaccination sites are.
“You can literally go to that vaccination site, get the first photo, get your card, come back right away, go to this restaurant, go to that movie theater, go to this concert. That’s how flexible this rule is,” he said. dir de Blasio.
And if the threat of spending time behind bars doesn’t deter you, here’s a reminder: fake cards cost money, while the vaccine is free.