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(CNN) -
Italian police are investigating four people and have blocked 32 online groups where users could buy fake covid-19 health passes, also known as "green passes," police said Monday.
In Telegram's groups of messaging apps, fake passes were offered to thousands of users for up to 500 euros (US $ 588) in cryptocurrencies or online shopping vouchers, police said.
Four people were placed under investigation on suspicion of fraud and forgery, police said, adding that investigations are still ongoing to identify the administrators of other groups and the buyers.
Police did not say that no one had been arrested at this time.
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"In order to have fake green passes, these people gave criminals confidential data, such as documents, health cards, which in turn could be sold online," Italian postal police director Nunzia Ciardi told CNN on Monday.
"Often times, users did not receive anything. Some threatened to report it to the police, but received in response (from the scammers):" Will you report that you wanted to buy a fake green pass?
It's a crime! "Ciardi added.
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The police emphasized in the press release announcing the investigation that "an original green certificate cannot be forged or altered since each certification is digitally produced with a private key from the Ministry of Health that ensures its authenticity."
Starting August 6, the health pass allows people who have received at least one dose of the covid-19 vaccine to attend crowded sporting and cultural events and enter indoor gatherings such as bars, restaurants, cinemas and museums.
Covid-19
