A warning about fake negative COVID-19 tests being made and sold by an Irish gang has been issued by Europol, the EU's law enforcement agency.
The Rathkeale Rovers, known to operate throughout Europe, have been producing the false test results for people travelling throughout the Europe who need a negative result upon arrival into countries.
In Ireland, a negative PCR test is required no more than 72 hours before travel into the country, with proof of the result needed upon arrival.
There have already been several cases throughout Europe of falsified negative results being offered for sale.
In a statement issued today, Europol said: "As long as travel restrictions remain in place due to the pandemic, it is very likely that criminals will seize the opportunity of producing and selling fake COVID-19 test certificates, warns a Europol Early Warning Notification published today.
"Europol received additional intelligence on the alleged use of a mobile application by the Rathkeale Rovers Mobile Organised Crime Group which allows members of the organised crime group to manually falsify test results.
"Given the widespread technological means available, in the form of high-quality printers and different software, fraudsters are able to produce high-quality counterfeit, forged or fake documents."
Several cases have already emerged of fraudulent COVID-19 test certificates being sold to travellers:
- A forgery ring selling negative test results to passengers was dismantled at the Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, France;
- In the UK, fraudsters were caught selling bogus COVID-19 documents for GBP 100;
- In December 2020, a fraudster was apprehended by the Spanish National Police for selling fake test results for EUR 40.
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