Covid-19: Europol warns about the sale of false test results

It is now unimaginable to cross borders without a negative PCR test.

Since Sunday, in France, it is an obligation for anyone setting foot there.

A tightening of entry conditions which could encourage some to buy false certificates ... Europol on Monday asked travelers to be wary of the sale in airports of false certificates of negative Covid-19 tests by organized crime, for sums up to 300 euros.

"It is very likely that criminals will seize the opportunity to produce and sell fake Covid-19 test certificates as long as travel restrictions are maintained due to the pandemic", believes Europol, in this alert published on its website.

"Given the extent of the technological means available with high quality printers and various software, counterfeiters are able to produce high quality false or counterfeit documents," adds the European police agency.

Several arrests in Europe

10 days ago, a man on suspicion of selling fake test results was arrested at Luton Airport in Britain.

In early November, French police arrested seven people in connection with the dismantling of trafficking in false negative Covid-19 tests using the name of an existing laboratory, sold at prices ranging from 150 to 300 euros to travelers in Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle airport, near Paris.

In Spain, police arrested a man selling fake documents like this for 40 euros online, and in the Netherlands traffickers were doing the same using mobile phone messaging apps.

"The detection of false certificates of negative tests for Covid-19 confirms that criminals, whether they are organized crime groups or individual crooks, seize the opportunity as soon as it appears", emphasizes Europol.