Healthcare workers perform a PCR test at a Covid-19 diagnostic center at El Alto International Airport, Bolivia, on January 28, 2021.
AIZAR RALDES | AFP | Getty Images
Illicit sales of false Covid-19 negative test results are becoming more widespread as criminals seek to benefit from travel restrictions imposed during the pandemic, according to Europol.
The EU police agency on Monday reported an increase in cases of sale of fraudulent Covid-19 test certificates to travelers. A growing number of countries in the European Union and beyond are forcing travelers to submit a negative coronavirus test to allow entry when traveling from a high-risk area.
In its latest early warning notification, which Europol issues to alert EU member states of new or increasingly frequent forms of criminal activity, the agency said the latest case of this crime had been detected at Luton Airport in the UK, where a man was arrested trying to sell fake coronavirus test results. Otherwise, in the UK, scammers were caught selling fake Covid-19 test documents for £ 100 ($ 137).
There had also been previous reports of similar activity in other European countries.
A counterfeit ring at Paris’ Charles de Gaulle airport, for example, was “dismantled” after it was found selling false negative test results to passengers, Europol said. The amount charged for the false test documents ranged from 150 to 300 euros (between 181 and 363 dollars).
Another fraudster was arrested in Spain for selling false negative test certificates on the Internet for 40 euros and in the Netherlands it was discovered that scammers were selling negative false test results for 50-60 euros through messaging applications.
“As long as travel restrictions are maintained due to the situation of Covid-19, it is very likely that the production and sale of false test certificates will prevail,” Europol added.
“Given the wide technological means available, in the form of high-quality printers and different programs, scammers can produce forged, forged, or high-quality forged documents.”
False evidence results are just one example of a number of fraudulent activities that have emerged during the pandemic. Fake coronavirus test kits have been sold and online scams have increased during the health crisis, with criminals exploiting millions of people now working from home.
Other criminals have tried to take advantage of government programs to support people during the pandemic, such as payment systems. Last September, the British office said it believed up to £ 3.5 billion in payments could have been fraudulently claimed or paid in error, as part of the UK’s job retention plan.