Fake RT-PCR, vaccination certificates racket busted in Hyderabad
Hyderabad: The Task Force (South) along with the Malakpet police and Humayun Nagar police nabbed two gangs involved in preparing and providing fake RT-PCR certificates and fake Covid-19 vaccination certificates here on Friday.
In the first case, two persons identified as P Laxman (30), owner of Home Care Diagnostics Services from Malakpet and Prabhath Kumar Sanghi (45) from Nampally were arrested.
Police said Laxman, who has previous experience of working as a lab technician at different diagnostic centres and a year ago, set up his own diagnostic centre Home Care Diagnostic Services Centre at Malakpet. He tied up with a laboratory to send samples for testing and to get test reports.
With RT-PCR reports having huge demand among people, particularly those travelling abroad, Laxman plotted to earn easy money by sending dummy samples to pathology labs. For issuing negative reports, he was collecting Rs.2,000 to Rs.3000 from each customer.
Officials seized 65 fake RT-PCR Negative certificates and 20 sample collection kits.
In the second case, the arrested were Mohd. Tariq Habib from Asif Nagar, Ghulam Mustafa Shakeel from Mehdipatnam, Abdul Basheer from Asif Nagar and Irfan Ur Rab Ansari from Rajendranagar.
Police said Tariq Habib, who runs a diagnostic centre, Image Diagnostic Centre at Asif Nagar, was also preparing fake vaccination certificates.
“Habeeb colluded with staff at the UPHC in Humayun Nagar and provided vaccination certificates to customers without giving the physical dose and collecting money,” police said, adding that he was charging Rs.800 to Rs.1,000.
“Travel agents are encouraging fake vaccination and RT-PCR certificates by approaching such lab technicians to arrange for their customers,” police said.
Police seized 50 fake Covid-19 vaccination certificates and 10 fake RT-PCR certificates. Following a tip-off, the police nabbed the gangs. The arrested persons were handed over to local police stations for further action.
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