HCMC – After busting a fake Covid test certificate ring and arresting several scammers, the investigators of the Phan Thiet City police division in Binh Thuan Province apprehended five more suspects at two other rings.
The five scammers were found to be in contact with those operating the fake Covid test certificate ring, which was broken up on October 10, according to preliminary investigation results.
The investigators searched the homes of the five and seized several computers and relevant documents related to the scam. The rings issued hundreds of falsified negative Covid test certificates, according to the police.
Earlier on October 10, the Binh Thuan police detained four suspects related to a fake Covid test certificate ring, Tran Xuan Dat, Diep Tu Hieu, Phung Thanh Tai and Nguyen Minh Tien, aged between 28 and 44. They reside in Phan Thiet City and Ham Thuan Bac District, VietnamPlus news site reported.
After the house search, the police confiscated 27 fake negative rapid Covid test certificates and several related tools.
The four admitted to the police that due to the high demand from residents for Covid test certificates, in September, they decided to create fake test certificates. After producing 100 fake test certificates, they charged VND70,000 for each of them.
Apart from expanding the investigation, the Phan Thiet City police decided to recall the fake negative Covid test certificates that were sold.
The police also asked residents using the fake certificates to quickly provide the police of communes or wards with information for further investigation.
Those who refused to make declarations might be charged with using fake documents of agencies or organizations in line with the Penal Code.
