Fake Vaccination Cards Circulating
A pair of fraudsters, including a nurse, has been working overtime falsifying COVID-19 vaccination cards, the same ones that are being issued by the Ministry of Health and Wellness to persons who have gotten their jabs. It’s an elaborate scheme that sees fake cards being sold to persons who presumably have to present proof of vaccination to their employers. Earlier today a release was issued by the government reminding the public of the Public Health Act which states, quote, that every person who willfully signs a false certificate or return under this part is guilty of an offense and is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, unquote. Home Affairs Minister Kareem Musa says that a criminal investigation has been launched into the matter. Commissioner of Police Chester Williams says that the illegal operation is centered in the Belize District.
Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs
“We have been informed of it. There’s also an instance in San Pedro and Caye Caulker, I believe, [that] we’re looking at that’s very concerning to see that there are individuals out there actually carrying out these very fraudulent acts and certainly that will have its consequences as a result of the police investigation.”
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“We have received complaints from the Ministry of Health of the proliferation of fake vaccination cards and there are some names that we have gotten as to persons who may be involved in this illegal activity and that matter is currently being pursued by the police.”
Reporter
“So more than one nurse, because that’s who we’re hearing are involved.”
Chester Williams
“Well we know about a nurse and we also know about somebody else, a person who is not a nurse. So we are looking for two persons at this time.”
Reporter
“Are we looking at raiding homes and finding printing materials, that sort of thing?”
Chester Williams
“I am not going to go into details at this time as to what we intend to do but we are looking at it.”
Reporter
“And this particular activity, is it centralized in one district or is it spread across the country?”
Chester Williams
“Well so far, we have only received information in Belize District per se.”