Fraudulent vaccination certificates turning in to racket
Special to WC Online
OTTAWA – A recent uptick in fraudulent COVID-19 vaccination certificate-related crimes in the community, it appears those looking to avoid the jab are creating a racket for enterprising criminals.
The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) Organized Fraud Unit has charged a man and a woman for fraud-related offences following an investigation that commenced last September.
“On Sept. 21, police received information from the director of a local shelter they suspected one of their employees had presented a fraudulent vaccination certificate in order to maintain her employment at the shelter,” the OPS released in a statement today (Oct. 29). “The Ottawa police Organized Fraud Unit commenced an investigation which revealed the employee’s certificate was obtained by submitting forged documents and falsely attesting she had received two doses of vaccination for COVID-19.”
The investigation also revealed a person from the same household had also obtained an Ontario Vaccination Certificate by submitting forged documents and falsely attesting he had received two doses of vaccination for COVID-19.
“In both situations, the forged documents stated that they had received COVID-19 vaccines in the United States,” the OPS said.
Yesterday, Oct. 28, Alexis Maitland, 38, and Dominic Poissant, 47, both from Ottawa are charged with uttering forged documents and obtain by false pretence.
They were released on undertakings with conditions; and their court appearances are scheduled at a later date.
“The Ottawa police would like to remind Ottawa residents that selling, purchasing, utilizing or knowingly accepting false COVID-19 vaccination credentials (certificate/passport) is a criminal offence and offenders will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law,” the OPS said. “Participating in such offences puts everybody at risk and fragilizes our community’s public health.”
Anyone with information regarding these types of fraud is asked to contact the Ottawa Police Organized Fraud Unit at 613-236-1222 ext. 5492. Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477 or at crimestoppers.ca.
