Two charged over fake Covid vaccination passports

Detectives investigating the creation and online sale of fraudulent Covid-19 vaccination records during the pandemic have charged two men.

Waqas Hanif, 26, and Touqir Nasir, 29, from Luton, Bedfordshire, are facing offences under the Computer Misuse Act and Fraud Act, the National Crime Agency (NCA) said.

A joint NCA and NHS England investigation was carried out relating to the creation of almost 2,000 fraudulent records at a health centre in Luton between June and October 2021, and the seizure of £145,000 in cash from a safety deposit box in the town, the NCA said.

The documentation allowed unvaccinated people to travel, when others were subject to restrictions, the NCA said.

Both men are due before Luton Magistrates' Court on Thursday.

During the pandemic, unvaccinated individuals were said to have paid for legitimate vaccine passport records, which were obtained from online marketplaces illegally, the agency added.

Mr Hanif, of Sherwood Road, Luton, was arrested by NCA officers in January 2022.

Mr Nasir, of Runley Road, Luton, attended a voluntary interview in March 2022, the NCA said.

Both are accused of committing conspiracy to unauthorised computer access with intent to commit other offences.

They are also alleged to have entered into, and be concerned in, the acquisition, retention and use or control of criminal property, and conspiring to commit fraud by false representation.

Mr Hanif has also been charged with acquiring, use and possession of criminal property.

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