The 23-year-old man is now accused of selling more than 600 fake COVID-19 vaccine cards. The man reportedly advertised the fake vaccination cards on Facebook for $75 each. He reportedly purchased the cards through a foreign online marketplace in June and then started advertising them on his social media accounts. The 23-year-old man was formally charged on Friday.
The 23-year-old man from Maryland, Amar Shabazz, who was only released from prison in April after serving time for possession of illicit child images, allegedly delivered the vaccine cards via the US Postal Service, according to reports.
“Covid19 vaccination card who want one. $75 a pop.” he wrote in one post. One month later, Shabazz also posted: “I sell proof of vaccination cards” underneath a link to a news article about restaurants requiring proof of vaccination.
The 23-year-old man reportedly told one potential buyer that he had run out of vaccine cards. “Made 300 today. I’m sold out. Just bought 500 more cards. 60×500 is $30k. I’m gonna be rich.” he reportedly told the person, prosecutors said.
Customs and Border Patrol agents seized his package in late August. After being alerted that his package was delayed by the shipping company, the suspect allegedly searched online for whether customs were inspecting packages for vaccine cards.
The suspect then placed another order for vaccine cards from the same website. The Federal Bureau of Investigation raided his home in October.
If convicted, he 23-year-old man is facing up to 20 years each for mail fraud and obstruction of justice. This incident remains under investigation. This is a developing story and it will be updated as new information become available.