Couple in southern Germany accused of forging Covid vaccination certificates
A couple in Baden-Württemberg has been accused of selling fake coronavirus vaccination certificates, authorities said Friday.
According to police and public prosecutors, "various" forged vaccination certificates and thousands of adhesive labels, some already printed to confirm two shots against Covid-19, were found in a flat in in the district of Reutlingen, reported German media.
Officers said they also found drugs during the search.
A 31-year-old man was remanded in custody, while his 34-year-old partner was released after police measures were completed. According to the report, the authorities were put on the trail of the couple by a tip-off. On Thursday, they raided the house.
Preliminary proceedings are now underway against the two suspects on suspicion of commercial document forgery.
According to the police and the public prosecutor's office, they are alleged to have sent vaccination certificates with false Covid vaccination entries to "various buyers". The 31-year-old is also being investigated for drug trafficking.
Germany has granted freedoms to people who have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19. If you show proof of being vaccinated, for instance, you don't have to quarantine after travel (unless you're coming from a variant risk zone), and you can visit a restaurant without having to get a Covid test.
EXPLAINED: What are Germany’s new freedoms for vaccinated people and Covid-19 survivors?
People who are fully inoculated can show their vaccination booklet, which has a stamp and sticker inside. Those who don't have a booklet get a piece of paper.
READ MORE:
- How do I prove I’m vaccinated against Covid-19 in Germany?
- Do foreign vaccination certificates count as proof in Germany?
The government is in the process of developing a digital vaccination pass which they hope will help limit the number of forged vaccine documents.
Comments (1)
See Also
According to police and public prosecutors, "various" forged vaccination certificates and thousands of adhesive labels, some already printed to confirm two shots against Covid-19, were found in a flat in in the district of Reutlingen, reported German media.
Officers said they also found drugs during the search.
A 31-year-old man was remanded in custody, while his 34-year-old partner was released after police measures were completed. According to the report, the authorities were put on the trail of the couple by a tip-off. On Thursday, they raided the house.
Preliminary proceedings are now underway against the two suspects on suspicion of commercial document forgery.
According to the police and the public prosecutor's office, they are alleged to have sent vaccination certificates with false Covid vaccination entries to "various buyers". The 31-year-old is also being investigated for drug trafficking.
Germany has granted freedoms to people who have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19. If you show proof of being vaccinated, for instance, you don't have to quarantine after travel (unless you're coming from a variant risk zone), and you can visit a restaurant without having to get a Covid test.
EXPLAINED: What are Germany’s new freedoms for vaccinated people and Covid-19 survivors?
People who are fully inoculated can show their vaccination booklet, which has a stamp and sticker inside. Those who don't have a booklet get a piece of paper.
READ MORE:
- How do I prove I’m vaccinated against Covid-19 in Germany?
- Do foreign vaccination certificates count as proof in Germany?
The government is in the process of developing a digital vaccination pass which they hope will help limit the number of forged vaccine documents.
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.