U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Port of Memphis say they’ve seized thousands of counterfeit COVID-19 vaccination cards headed for New Orleans.
According to U.S. Customs officials, the cards, headed to New Orleans Central Business District, were shipped from Shenzhen, China.
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“These vaccinations are free and available everywhere,” said Michael Neipert, Area Port Director of Memphis. “If you do not wish to receive a vaccine, that is your decision. But don’t order a counterfeit, waste my officer’s time, break the law, and misrepresent yourself."
Authorities say the confiscated blank vaccination cards have several typos in both English and Spanish.
"Sometimes the manifests describe the shipments as “Paper Greeting Cards/ Use For-Greeting Card,” sometimes they are “PAPER PAPER CARD,” but they are always from China.," US Customs officials said in a statement. "Though they may come in packs of 20, 51, 100, there are never any attempts to conceal them in anything. They aren’t hidden in books, nor are they stuffed in the back of framed paintings. The recipients of this ubiquitous contraband are unfortunately all over the United States. This fiscal year to date, Memphis has made 121 seizures totaling 3,017 of these vaccination cards."
"The FBI has warned the public that buying, selling, or using a counterfeit COVID-19 vaccination card is a crime. It can be categorized as the unauthorized use of an official government agency seal (such as HHS or CDC) and may be punishable under Title 18 United States Code, Section 1017, and other applicable laws."
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The seizure comes just as New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell issued a citywide mandate requiring people to show proof of vaccination to enter restaurants, bars, and venues.
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