Illinois Pharmacist Stole And Sold Coronavirus Vaccine Cards: Department Of Justice

CHICAGO — A federal jury convicted an Illinois pharmacist Friday after he stole and sold coronavirus vaccination cards, according to authorities.

Tangtang Zhao, 36, of Chicago, stole the cards issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from the pharmacy where he worked and sold them online to buyers across the country, authorities said.

Over three weeks in March and April of 2021, Zhao posted listings for more than 650 vaccination cards, which he advertised as “authentic” and “straight from the CDC,” according to the U.S. Department of Justice. He sold 630 cards to about 200 buyers, who paid Zhao over $5,600, authorities said.

The jury convicted him of 12 counts of theft of government property, according to authorities, who said he is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 28 and faces up to 10 years in prison.

Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving coronavirus is asked to visit www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.