2 Nurses Busted for Creating Fake Covid19 Vaccination Cards, Make Millions in Scheme
- Julie DeVuono and Marissa Urraro were caught after a three-month conspiracy that saw them earn big bucks
- They were charging adults R3k and R1.5k for kids in their calculated plot from a clinic owned by DeVuono
- They would then add the information to a database that would show proof of vaccination, which was actually false
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Two nurses have been busted after reportedly forging Covid-19 vaccination cards in a scheme that raked in millions.
Source: Facebook
Julie DeVuono,49, and Marissa Urraro, 44, made up to R23 million in just three months from the sale of fake cards that proved one had received the vaccine.
According to New York Post, the two were charging adults R3k and R1.5k for kids.
The two health care workers based in New York are said to have started their fraud in November 2021 and were finally caught this month.
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DeVuono, a nurse practitioner, owns the Wild Child Pediatric Healthcare - which is said to have been their workstation, according to Sullfolk County District Attorney's Office.
Add information to the database
The two are said to have added the false information onto the New York State Immunisation Information System (NYSIIS). This would list the individuals as vaccinated even though not true, something that would put many lives at risk.
Prosecutors reported that they also forged vaccine cards for undercover NYPD officers.
About R13 million was found by investigators at DeVuono's home, and financial records also found at the home alleged to have shown the R23 million profit.
The two nurses are reported to have been charged with forgery but the 49-year-old will also face another account of offering fraud.
Numerous reports of 'Fake Covid 19 Certificates' in KZN, Says Premier Sihle Zikalala
In related news, Briefly News reported that people found to have bought fraudulent Covid-19 vaccine certificates and those involved in their sale will find themselves in hot water.
This was the clear message sent out by KwaZulu-Natal's Premier Sihle Zikalala as he addressed a media briefing.
The Premier noted that his department was dealing with rising reports about fake vaccination certificates that are exchanging hands in the province.
Source: Briefly News
Denika Herbst (Editor) Denika Herbst is a Human Interest writer at Briefly News. She is also an Industrial Sociologist with a master's degree in Industrial Organisational and Labour Studies from the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, which she completed in 2020. She is now a PhD candidate at UKZN. Denika has over five years of experience writing for Briefly News (joined in 2018), and a short time writing for The South African. You can reach her via: denika.herbst@briefly.co.za.
Kelly Lippke (Senior Editor) Kelly Lippke is a copy editor/proofreader who started her career at the Northern-Natal Courier with a BA in Communication Science/Psychology (Unisa, 2007). Kelly has worked for several Caxton publications, including the Highway Mail and Northglen News. Kelly’s unique editing perspective stems from an additional major in Linguistics. Kelly joined Briefly News in 2018 and she has 14 years of experience. Kelly has also passed a set of trainings by Google News Initiative. You can reach her at kelly.lippke@briefly.co.za.
