The history of pandemics contains no exceptions: Crime and fraud flourish; governments deteriorate; corrupt behavior (lies and deception) abound; law and order are pressured by growth in societal instability. We now see the evidence worldwide, including in the United States.
Financial implications include insurance costs, crime-deterrence budgetary increases, and new businesses evolving to assist governments. In some countries war evolves. In other countries victims have claims and engage lawyers. Violence increases, as does surveillance (these days, cameras and drones). We already see it daily.
Jurisdictions that think ahead can reduce crime; those that fail to think ahead may encourage increasing crime. Example: Electronic verification of vaccination (a vaccine passport) is much safer than dependency on an easily counterfeitable scrap of paper. Nearly half of the US uses verification by paper. This exposes the entire country to fraud.
Below we have assembled a partial compilation of current types of pandemic criminal behavior in the US. We will leave the rest of the list to reader’s research and imagination.
Please be alert and careful. Snake oil salesmen have centuries of practice.
Here’s the list with citations.
Crimes Related to COVID-19
“Check Point Software Technologies found that the typical cost of phony vaccine cards bearing the logo of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was $100 on Sept. 2. The day after Biden’s Sept. 9 announcement, they jumped to $200, according to company spokesperson Ekram Ahmed.
“The estimated number of sellers also rose from about 1,200 to more than 10,000 during that period, added Ahmed, whose company has been studying the black market for fake vaccine cards.”
(“Fake Vaccine Card Sales Have Skyrocketed Since Biden Mandate,” https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/blogs/stateline/2021/09/16/fake-vaccine-card-sales-have-skyrocketed-since-biden-mandate)
Vaccine mandates are nothing new in the US, and court decisions have held long upheld them as legal. In a New Yorker piece titled “Should the Government Impose a National Vaccination Mandate?” (https://www.newyorker.com/news/our-columnists/should-the-government-impose-a-national-vaccination-mandate), writer Jeannie Suk Gerson explores that legal history, which is, of course, intertwined with an equally long history of vaccine resistance. Of particular interest is a 1905 case, in which a pastor claimed that a vaccination requirement amounted to “an assault on his person.” Gerson explains the Supreme Court’s ruling:
“The Court, in Jacobson v. Massachusetts, disagreed, reciting the principle that individual liberty is not absolute in the face of ‘the common good,’ and that ‘real liberty for all’ depends on restraining individual exercises of liberty that harm others. The Court, as Justice John Marshall Harlan wrote, was therefore ‘unwilling to hold it to be an element in the liberty secured by the Constitution of the United States that one person, or a minority of persons, residing in any community and enjoying the benefits of its local government, should have the power thus to dominate the majority’ that acts through the state’s authority to protect health and safety. The Court therefore held that a state had legal authority to require vaccinations.”
COVID-related crimes such as fake COVID vaccination verifications and fake negative test results incrementally undermine our efforts to beat the disease. Instead, they prolong the COVID pandemic. They hamper a robust recovery and they perpetuate an undertow of death, intermittent disruption, and long-term health impacts.
An economic prognosis must take the nature and the scope of COVID-related crimes and their social, public health, and economic implications into account. On a smaller scale, any business faces an elevated hazard to operations and to staff and their families when it considers employees “marked safe” by vaccination, when in fact some are not.
Unfortunately, COVID-related crimes extend beyond the forging of documents required to work and to travel and to enter venues. We’ve been tracking a number of them.
The fake vaccine card epidemic easily comprises the bulk of COVID-related crimes. Anti-vaxxers, however, are also using fake COVID exemption cards as well as fake negative COVID tests to get around current airline, business, and employer requirements.
There have been a few anti-vaxxers in the medical community who have either destroyed vaccines or distributed fake vaccines to patients, or while other anti-vaxxers have threatened healthcare workers and disrupted healthcare services. Fake vaccine distribution by scammers remains a serious problem outside the Western world, and many thousands of people have unwittingly paid for a fake vaccine peddled by various criminal enterprises. We’ve catalogued a representative sampling of the types of COVID crimes we’ve seen thus far, excluding the dissemination of disinformation, which is an overarching problem so enormous as to merit independent consideration. We hope readers find the links thought-provoking and useful.
One additional note: Beyond specifically COVID-related behaviors that continue to impede recovery, the US has seen a pandemic-catalyzed, multidimensional national trauma manifested in an elevated murder rate across the country. The increase was not correlated with urban or rural settings, Democratic or Republican constituencies, or with any particular region of the country or ethnic group. Frustration and rage driven by the pandemic and all manner of second-order pandemic impacts have translated to more violence everywhere: “US records largest annual increase in murders in six decades,” https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/sep/27/us-murder-rate-increase-2020.”
Fake COVID Vaccine Card Epidemic
“How To Get Digital Proof Of Your Vaccine Record — No Matter Where You Live,” https://www.forbes.com/sites/suzannerowankelleher/2021/09/11/digital-proof-of-vaccine-record-usa/.
This excellent article explains why we are where we are now with regard to an easily faked form of vaccination verification and addresses how many of us can obtain digital proof of vaccination now.
“COVID-19: Vaccines and vaccine passports being sold on darknet,” https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-56489574
Fake vaccine cards were initially sold on the dark web for $500–750 before going mainstream on the Telegram app and Whatsapp.
“Black Market for Fake COVID-19 Vaccination Cards Flourishing,” https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/articles/2021-08-20/global-black-market-for-fake-COVID-19-vaccination-cards-flourishing
The black market now extends beyond the dark web and easily faked paper cards. Some services advertise being able to insert vaccine verification information into government or other vaccine verification databases.
“Miami Beach Couple Arrested in Hawaii for Using Fake Vaccination Cards,” https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/miami-beach-couple-arrested-in-hawaii-for-using-fake-vaccination-cards/2531905/
A Miami Beach couple was caught when they presented fake vaccine cards for themselves and their children, who were too young to be vaccinated.
“Instagram User @AntiVaxMomma Charged With Selling Fake Vaccine Cards,” https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/31/nyregion/fake-vaccine-cards-woman-charged.html?referringSource=articleShare
Jasmine Clifford sold fake cards and worked with a clinic employee to get unvaccinated people entered into a medical clinic’s COVID vaccination database.
“California Doctor Arrested for Fake Vaccine and Immunization Card Scheme,” https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/woman-arrested-fake-COVID-19-immunization-and-vaccination-card-scheme
A CA-licensed naturopathic doctor, Juli Mazi sold “immunization pellets” along with fake vaccine verifications showing that patients had received the Moderna shot.
“Texas soldier sold fake COVID vaccine cards on Instagram, feds say. ‘How many u need!’,” https://www.star-telegram.com/news/nation-world/national/article253637703.html
Making no attempt to be subtle, Keishaun Todd made videos on Instragram advertising his service and incriminated himself in the process.
“Authorities: Fake Vaccination Cards Sold at California Bar,” https://www.nbcbayarea.com/coronavirus-2/authorities-fake-vaccination-cards-sold-at-california-bar/2539297/
A $5,000 fine and/or 5 years in jail seems to be the most agreed-upon penalty for attempting to use a fake vaccine card.
“Nevada officials warn against fake vaccine cards, violators can face federal penalties,” https://news3lv.com/news/local/nevada-officials-warn-against-fake-vaccine-cards-violators-can-face-federal-penalties
Chief Deputy of Nevada Mark Krueger speaks of a more severe penalty and states that “Under the federal law, you can be actually fined for individuals up to $250,000 or for an organization up to $500,000. But it also carries with it a criminal component or penalty, that can find yourself in prison for up to five years.” It seems here the $250,000 to $500,000 fine refers to those who have either bought or sold fake vaccine cards in large quantities.
“FBI warns of harsh penalty that comes with faking COVID vaccination cards,” https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/fbi-warns-harsh-penalty-that-comes-with-faking-COVID-vaccination-cards/SGBUBY5OK5GKZMIWU5QDBPEV2A/
The FBI states about fake vaccine cards, “That is a misuse of a government seal. It’s actually a crime to do that. It comes with it, for each offense, up to a $5,000 fine or 5 years in prison.”
“An NFL agent estimates that 10% to 15% of players have a fake vaccine card,” https://www.insider.com/nfl-agent-players-fake-covid-vaccine-cards-report-2021-9.
Sizing up the scope of the fake vaccination record problem may enable us to guess at the levels of increased risk and costs that those who lie about their vaccination status may impose upon society, their workplaces, the healthcare system, and the economic recovery.
Fake Negative COVID Tests
It is incredibly easy for anyone, even an amateur with free online tools, to use negative test result templates such as this one to fake a test result: https://www.stsigjpa.com/resources/loss-prevention/07-sample-COVID-molecular-negative-not-detected-sample-report-pdf/.
Criminal enterprises have capitalized on the demand for fake negative COVID tests and have been selling them worldwide. The demand comes from those wishing to circumnavigate travel restrictions without taking an actual COVID test. Employees not wanting to miss work are also an obvious market. It can easily be ascertained that many of these individuals turned to acquiring fake negative test results because they did indeed have COVID-19. Another reason seems to be that in certain countries it is much cheaper to buy a negative test result than it is to pay for an actual COVID test. Those using, buying, or selling fake negative COVID test results are being charged with the crimes of fraud and forgery, the penalties for which vary widely across the US. Such penalties can range from community service to fines or jail time.
“FBI warns companies of employees faking coronavirus test results,” https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/14/politics/fbi-warning-fake-coronavirus-test-results/index.html
This article details incidents of employees using fake COVID tests to go to work while having the virus.
“Criminals are selling fake COVID test results as they look to profit from travel restrictions,” https://www.cnbc.com/2021/02/01/fake-COVID-tests-criminals-try-to-profit-from-travel-restrictions.html
Throughout Europe, scammers have been caught selling falsified negative COVID test results to the public. They are even those selling them at airports to help passengers get around travel restrictions.
“Travelling during COVID: ‘I was nervous using a fake COVID-19 test certificate’,” https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/article/ee6ed923-e00e-445b-8a98-7b9917178e30
The BBC interviews a woman who describes why she used a fake COVID-19 test result, as well as a seller of the fake tests. The woman uses the excuse that buying a fake COVID test result is significantly cheaper than getting an actual COVID test.
Fake Vaccine Exemption Cards
Some of those refusing vaccines have turned to purchasing fake vaccine exemption cards, which do not carry a criminal penalty at this time, since they do not pretend to have been issued by a governmental or medical institution. A growing number of conspiracists have been spreading the idea that the Geneva Convention somehow entitles them to not get a COVID vaccine, and that asking them to do so is a violation of that convention. Unsurprisingly, such individuals lack a basic comprehension of the actual laws in the Geneva Convention. Those laws address involuntary medical experimentation in the wake of Nazi medical experiments on prisoners during WW2.
“Fake ‘Vaccine Exemption’ Card Proliferates on Twitter Despite COVID-19 Misinformation Ban,” https://www.newsweek.com/fake-vaccine-exemption-card-proliferates-twitter-despite-COVID-19-misinformation-ban-1574645
Twitter hasn’t been able to quash bogus ‘vaccine exemption’ cards.
“Connecticut doctor's license suspended for providing blank, signed Covid-19 exemption forms, health department says,” https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/28/us/connecticut-doctor-license-suspended-covid-forms/index.html
Retired pediatrician Sue Mcintosh lost her medical license for handing out signed exemptions for vaccines and masks to anyone who sent her a stamped, self-addressed envelope.
(ex-US) Anti-Vaxxers and Scammers Distributing Fake Vaccines
“Thousands In Germany Thought They Had Their Vaccine. It May have Been Saline Instead,” https://www.npr.org/2021/08/11/1026863219/nurse-fake-COVID-vaccine-germany-saline
An anti-vax nurse in Germany may have given thousands saline injections instead of COVID vaccine.
“Thousands Given Fake Vaccines Through Scam in India,” https://www.npr.org/2021/07/09/1014512227/thousands-given-fake-vaccines-through-scam-in-india
Bold scammers faked an entire vaccine clinic at $17 per shot in India.
“COVID: Police break up fake vaccine network in China and South Africa,” https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-56270243
Reports of fake vaccine rings suggest that the problem is more widespread than this one operation involving thousands of doses.
Threats, Disruptions, and Violence
Reports document instances in which anti-vaxxers or anti-maskers have threatened healthcare workers and others, and disrupted care and services, including vaccinations for COVID-19.
“Georgia anti-vaxxers shut down mobile vaccine event,” https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/570221-georgia-anti-vaxxers-shut-down-mobile-vaccine-event
Anti-vaccine protestors have plagued several vaccination sites in Georgia and managed recently to shut one of them down.
“Kicked in the Ribs. Harassed at Vaccine Sites. Health Care Workers Are Tired of New ‘Normal,’”
https://www.gpb.org/news/2021/09/22/kicked-in-the-ribs-harassed-at-vaccine-sites-health-care-workers-are-tired-of-new
Healthcare workers endure verbal and physical abuse from patients, sometimes causing injuries.
“Self-proclaimed ‘Vaccine Police’ tells Walmart pharmacists they ‘could be executed’ for administering shots,” https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/08/19/walmart-christopher-key-anti-vaccine/; “COVID-19 vaccination does not violate the Nuremberg Code,” https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2021/aug/20/facebook-posts/covid-19-vaccination-does-not-violate-nuremberg-co/
Christopher Key threatened pharmacists at a Missouri Walmart with possible execution if they did not stop administering COVID vaccinations, claiming that they were violating the Nuremberg Code by giving the shots. Politifact takes on Key’s nonsensical claim.
(UK) “Robin Swann condemns ‘anti-vax crusaders’ who disrupted vaccine clinic for pregnant women in Derry,” https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/robin-swann-condemns-anti-vax-21313864
Swann asserted, “There is sadly no reasoning with these anti-vax crusaders, who remain wedded to their misinformed and distorted agenda. My message to them is simple – you will not divert us from our responsibility to get as many people vaccinated as possible. Vaccination saves lives and reduces levels of serious illness.”
(Canada) “Vaccine Passports Roll Out, and So Do Unruly Anti-Vaccine Protests,” https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/03/world/canada/vaccine-passports-protests.html
At a Vancouver hospital, anti-vaccine protestors disrupted services and assaulted a healthcare worker.
“Caught On Video: Carmine’s Hostess Attacked After Asking Tourists For Proof Of Vaccination,” https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2021/09/17/carmines-hostess-attacked-indoor-dining-vaccine-mandate/
Three Texas tourists assaulted a young hostess who asked for proof of vaccination in NYC.
“Video of Anti-Mandate Activists Storming New York Food Court Viewed 1.4M Times,” https://www.newsweek.com/video-anti-mandate-activists-storming-new-york-food-court-viewed-14m-times-1632822
A Staten Island food court was invaded by a rowdy crowd of anti-mandate protestors who had no intentions of honoring the vaccine mandate in place there. They met with no resistance from workers or security at the food court.
“Germans shocked by killing of cashier after COVID mask row,” https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/germans-shocked-by-killing-cashier-after-covid-mask-row-2021-09-21/
A customer at a German gas station shot and killed a cashier who upheld a mask requirement.
Intentional Vaccine Destruction
“US pharmacist who tried to ruin COVID vaccine doses is a conspiracy theorist, police say,” https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/04/wisconsin-pharmacist-COVID-19-vaccine-doses-steven-brandenburg
A US pharmacist and anti-vax conspiracist destroyed vaccines, believing them to be unsafe.
“COVID vaccination centres vandalised in France,” https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-57883397
Heavy resistance to the vaccine and COVID requirements caused French anti-vaxxers to attack vaccine centers in France on July 19, 2021. As 100,00 anti-vax protestors marched, one vaccine center was set on fire.
“Anger as French protestors compare vaccines to Nazi horrors,” https://apnews.com/article/europe-health-government-and-politics-coronavirus-pandemic-race-and-ethnicity-e3757c1c51abd7ce56473c455f6f880d
Rioters compared the French government and vaccinations to the Nazis and their atrocities in the Holocaust.
Fake Mask Exemptions
“Pennsylvania Doctor Issued Blanket Mask Exemptions for School,” https://www.medpagetoday.com/special-reports/exclusives/94547
An anti-masker doctor supported his claims about the harmful effects of masking by citing two studies that have been withdrawn. On his website and Facebook page, he offered mask exemption letters for all who wanted them.
“Calif. Medical Board: Stop Issuing Bogus Mask Exemptions to Students,” https://www.medpagetoday.com/special-reports/exclusives/94125
The California Medical Board threatened disciplinary action against physicians who offer mask exemptions without conducting an exam and finding a legitimate medical reason that justifies an exemption.
“Florida Chiropractor Signs Over 500 Face Mask Exemptions For Students, Despite Covid-19 Surge,” https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucelee/2021/09/04/florida-chiropractor-signs-over-500-face-mask-exemptions-for-students-despite-covid-19-surge/?sh=5df331c9171a
The CDC spells out three legitimate reasons for a mask exemption. Sarasota Chiropractor Dan Busch signed exemptions without any basis for hundreds.
Individuals Faking Furlough Claims in the UK to Receive Monetary Awards
“Coronavirus: Up to £3.5bn furlough claims fraudulent or paid in error – HMRC,” https://www.bbc.com/news/business-54066815
Opportunistic individuals in Great Britain have been pretending to be employees furloughed because of the pandemic in order to receive payments from the government. It is estimated that up to £3.5 billion was paid out to individuals who scammed the government in this way.
The list goes on and on. Please be careful and vigilant.
David R. Kotok
Chairman & Chief Investment Officer
Email | Bio
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