WEDNESDAY, Sept. 1, 2021 (HealthDay News) — A woman calling herself AntiVaxMomma on social media faces a number of charges for selling fake COVID-19 vaccination cards, New York prosecutors said Tuesday.
They allege that Jasmine Clifford, of Lyndhurst, NJ, has sold about 250 fake vaccination cards via her Instagram account in recent months, News agency mentioned.
Clifford offered the fake cards for $200 to everyone in the New York City area, including some hospital and nursing home employees, according to prosecutors.
They also said that for an additional $250, the alleged Clifford conspirator, Nadayza Barkley, of Bellport, LI, entered the name of a fake card buyer into the New York State vaccination database used for confirmation. Serum Situation in venues such as sporting events, concerts, and AP mentioned.
Barclay entered at least 10 names into the state’s vaccine database while working at the Pachogo medical clinic, according to prosecutors.
Clifford was charged with providing a counterfeit instrument, criminal possession of a counterfeit instrument and conspiracy, and Barclay was charged with providing a counterfeit instrument and conspiracy.
Thirteen alleged buyers of counterfeit cards have also been charged, namely AP mentioned.
Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. has called on Facebook, which owns Instagram, and other tech companies to crack down on vaccine card fraud, saying in statment That “the stakes are too high to handle fake vaccination cards with hit-mole pursuits.”
Facebook said it prohibits anyone from buying or selling COVID-19 vaccine tickets and that it removed the Clifford account in early August for violating its rules.
“We will review any other accounts that may do the same,” the company said in a written statement. “We appreciate the DA’s work on this and will remove this content whenever we find it.”
The sale of fake vaccine cards is a growing concern as more places require proof of vaccination to work, eat in restaurants, and participate in daily activities.
In May, a Northern California bar owner was arrested after he sold fake, custom-made COVID-19 vaccination cards for $20 each. AP Reported, a Northern California physical therapist was arrested in June for selling fake COVID treatments and vaccination cards.
Two tourists were arrested this month for allegedly using fake vaccine cards to travel to Hawaii, and US Senator Chuck Schumer called on federal law enforcement agencies to target online sales of fake COVID vaccination cards, AP mentioned.
more information
Visit the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to learn more Corona virus vaccines.
Source: News agency