[ad_1]
Irish criminals are allegedly involved in falsifying negative Covid-19 tests to allow people to travel within Europe, Europol warned.
The European police agency said members of the Rathkeale Rovers gang, a group of Irish criminals operating in several European countries, are using a mobile phone app to “manually falsify test results” which are then sold to travelers. for hundreds of euros each.
Ireland and several other European countries have introduced legislation requiring the proof of a recent PCR test showing a negative result for Covid-19 before allowing passengers to enter the country.
“Given the widespread technological means available, in the form of high-quality printers and different software, scammers can produce high-quality forged, forged or forged documents,” said Europol.
Criminals now operate from airports, online, and through messaging apps to sell counterfeit documents that show a negative Covid-19 test.
These documents often bear the name of a genuine laboratory and are very convincing.
Rathkeale Rovers, which is based in the Limerick city of the same name and operates internationally, is one of several groups involved in the activity across Europe.
It is understood that the activity of Irish criminals is primarily based in the UK. Members of the gang have previously been arrested for money laundering, smuggling, drug trafficking and theft.
Restrictions
Europol said it has received information from an EU country that the gang is using a mobile app that allows them to generate falsified test results for later sale.
The agency details several incidents of various criminals or gangs selling counterfeit evidence in Europe and warned member states to be on the lookout for “the illicit production and sale of fraudulent Covid-19 negative test certificates.
“Member States are encouraged to share with Europol any relevant information on criminal activities related to false Covid-19 evidence documentation.”
Europol said the production and sale of fake test certificates is highly likely to prevail as long as travel restrictions are maintained.
Earlier this month, a man was arrested at Luton Airport in the UK while trying to sell fake test certificates. Previously, French police discovered a counterfeit ring at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport.
Passengers were charged between 150 and 300 euros for a fake certificate, Europol said.
In December, the Spanish National Police arrested a man for selling fake certificates online for € 40 each, while in the Netherlands scammers were caught selling them for € 50-60 via messaging apps.
“The detection of false Covid-19 negative test certificates confirms that criminals, whether they are organized criminal groups or individual opportunistic scammers, seize profitable opportunities once they arise,” Europol said.
[ad_2]