Federal Agents Seize Thousands of Fake Vaccination Cards Shipped from China

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents have seized thousands of fake vaccination cards passing through Memphis, a shipping hub, from Shenzhen, China, to recipients all around the United States, as some unvaccinated people try to evade restrictions that require proof of the shot to enter certain bars, schools and public spaces, reports the Washington Post. The agents confiscated 121 packages filled with more than 3,000 fake vaccination cards, according to the CBP. Officers realized the cards were fake because the packages were not sent by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or another official medical organization. The forms also had errors, including misspellings, unfinished words and incorrect Spanish translations.

Making or buying a counterfeit card violates federal laws against the unauthorized use of an official government agency’s seal, which can result in a fine and up to five years in prison. Despite that fact, incidences of fraud have been popping up around the country as some people have sought ways around inoculation requirements, purchasing sham cards priced between $25 and $200 apiece. Federal authorities lamented that watching for counterfeit vaccination documents has taken CBP agents away from other duties, including spotting potentially dangerous and illegal drugs.  See also: Schumer Calls for Crackdown on Fake Vaccine Cards.