Recently, a video of a man selling fake COVID-19 negative certificates to people in exchange for money went viral. According to TOI, the man running the scam is the manager of a private medical hospital in Meerut.
In the video, a ‘client’ is seen handing over Rs 2,000 to the manager, named Shah Alam, and promises to give the remaining Rs 500 after receiving the certificate. The man says that the certificate is valid for 7 days. He further expresses how getting a fake certificate is better than actually getting tested because if the result comes positive, there would be a huge problem for at least 14 days.
Watch the video here:
Private hospital staff in UP's Meerut promising Covid-19 negative reports from district hospital in exchange for money. “Clients” seen giving Rs 2,000 to hospital manager and promising to pay remaining Rs 500 when report arrives.
Story by @IshitaBhatiaTOIhttps://t.co/19IX1KEr9H pic.twitter.com/z3wUdW19NJ
— Piyush Rai (@Benarasiyaa) July 6, 2020
After the video was widely shared online, authorities noticed and took strict action against the man and the hospital. According to News18, the hospital’s license has been suspended. A police case has been filed against the manager for fraud under IPC Section 420.
“A video had gone viral in Meerut. We have registered a case in this regard and we have suspended the licence of the nursing home. We have also sealed it on Sunday. Strict action will be taken against anybody who does like this,” said the District Magistrate of Meerut.
According to Meerut’s Chief Medical Officer, the manager was offering a fake COVID-negative certificate to a man who wished to get an operation done hassle-free, reports National Herald.
It is shocking how members of a hospital staff could readily put the lives of others at risk for a mere amount of money. We hope necessary steps are taken to ensure that such unethical practices are completely wiped out!