Fake Vaccination Card From Bulgaria Seized By Customs In Philly

PHILADELPHIA — A fake coronavirus vaccination card was found by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers recently, federal authorities said.

According to customs, officers found the card Saturday, Jan. 8.

Officers found the card while conducting routine international parcel inspections for dangerous, illegal, or prohibited products.

The card was found inside a greeting card that was inside a shipping envelope. The contents were manifested as "documents."

Poor print quality, unclear CDC and Health and Human Services logos, and uneven border led officers to take the card for inspection.

The fake vaccination card was shipped from Bulgaria to an address in Stamford, Connecticut, customs said.

"While fake vaccination cards are selling for as much as $200, the CDC reminds people that an actual vaccination is free," customs said in a statement.

According to customer, officers across the nation have seized more than 30,000 counterfeit coronavirus vaccination cards from nearly 1,200 seizures.

Locally, the Baltimore Field Office, which includes the Area Port of Philadelphia, has seized a combined 1,520 fake vax cards from 41 seizures.

Unvaccinated individuals who purchase fake vaccination cards put themselves, their loved ones, and their fellow Americans at risk of contracting coronavirus or its more serious variants.

The FBI has warned the public that buying, selling, or using counterfeit COVID-19 vaccination cards also breaks our nation’s laws.

"Coronavirus continues to pose a serious health and safety threat to American citizens, as do unscrupulous vendors who peddle counterfeit COVID vaccination cards and the unvaccinated people who buy them," said Joseph Martella, Area Port Director for CBP’s Area Port of Philadelphia. "Customs and Border Protection officers are extremely skilled at detecting cleverly concealed contraband and we will continue to intercept dangerous and illicit products that could harm consumers, our economy and our nation."