The delta variant has become the dominant strain of COVID-19 in the United States, which has caused places like restaurants, gyms, universities, sports arenas, and airports to require proof of vaccination to gain entry. However, many people are finding ways around getting vaccinated by buying, printing out, or otherwise using fake vaccine cards.
Vaccination record cards are used to provide COVID-19 vaccine recipients with information about the type of vaccine they received, and when the second dose of the vaccine will be administered. Fake COVID-19 vaccine cards have been advertised on e-commerce platforms and even social media, costing consumers between $10 and $200 per card, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Last week, a woman from Illinois was arrested in Hawaii when she entered the state with a fake vaccine card that said “Maderna,” rather than Moderna. In the same state, a licensed pharmacist faces 12 counts of theft of government property for allegedly selling authentic vaccination cards on eBay.
The FBI said carrying a fake vaccine card can be charged as misuse of a government seal, which is a federal crime that is punishable by a prison sentence of up to five years and a maximum fine of $5,000. Theft of government property carries a maximum prison term of 10 years. Downloading or uploading a fake vaccine card online to be printed out can be viewed as wire fraud, which can result in imprisonment for up to 20 years.
If you have been arrested for a federal crime in Lexington or Columbia, call the Law Office of James R. Snell, Jr., LLC today at (803) 359-3301 or complete an online contact form to schedule a free consultation. Proudly serving clients throughout South Carolina since 2004!