Fake Vaccination Certificates: Dual Authentication via Mobile Phone

The inclusion of stricter safety valves in the vaccination system is led to the cases of detected fake certificates, which also revealed some “holes”, which can not be directly connected to the electronic process, due to configured codes, but could probably have been avoided with a second level of protection.

The integration in the vaccination system for the authorized users of the method of identification of the two factors, that is, the OTP (one-time password) and the sending of an SMS confirmation code to the mobile phone declared by the authorized user, is something that has already been done in order to further shield the system. If this existed, the fraud that took place in Palama, Karditsa, could have decided that it all started with the sharing of the security code of the authorized health officer with the corrupt administrative employee.

Most what is being considered is dual authentication / authentication via mobile phone, which can be done by registering the phone of the authorized user in the National Communication Register (NTUA).

Once this is implemented, the authorized user will connect – as now – to the data entry platform by entering a username and password, but then a second password will be received via a text message on the mobile phone, to which only he / she will have access. The

The second level protection method has already been used in many services internationally. However, it was not implemented in the vaccination program, probably because the registration of the number in the NTUA was based on the legislation of the Presidential legislation and therefore could not be required by the approximately 7,500 health workers participating in the vaccination program.

Under the microscope vaccinations and certified health – Focusing controls on other categories

At the same time, the vaccinations of the health authorities, for which the obligation with priority to those who chose different vaccination centers from the structures, in this jobFrom the digital crossroads by the Ministries of Health and Digital Government and the National Transparency Authority, however, there will be cases of other vaccinated workers, who are estimated not to have worked in sectors where vaccination is mandatory, can act as an “incentive” for search for a fake certificate the payment of two diagnostic tests per week, such as teachers.

In absolute priority, however, are the controls in:

• Health workers, who chose to be vaccinated in centers outside the hospital where they work.

• Vaccinations that took place during the summer months and especially in August.

• Vaccinations performed on weekends.

• Vaccinations that were done at nightThe

Riddle the disease certificates

The gap seems to exist in the issue of certified disease controls, where some seem to resort to making their vaccination for six months.

Apart from the fact that for the test which must be done within a reasonable time from the vaccination, the introductory assistance is always needed as no one can force someone to carry out antibody test. Another issue that concerns the authorities is how the results of these tests will be accepted in this case, while they were not accepted in the cases of unregistered cases in EODY that ask to do only one dose of the vaccine.

“Antibody tests for people who have been ill and have not been registered in the system following the initial instructions, if they are slightly ill, should not be offered to hospitals, they are not accepted. “Some cases were recorded as possible cases of quarantine without confirmation and without it being recorded in EODY that they have fallen ill because they never went to the hospital for tests,” said sources close to the case.

The window of doctors who could report test results in the system also closes

It is a matter of minimal time to close the “window” of the doctors, who used prescription codes from the IDIKA system that they have, could also enter the vaccination system by entering diagnostic test results.

This “hole” was noticed by doctors, however, according to those in charge, if someone was sure of a false statement of results, it would be easy to identify.

“Only diagnostic centers and hospitals have the authority to declare the result of the test. “In the first intersection that would easily take place, the one who was illegally integrated in the system will be identified, the result of the examination of the test, which you will know would be fake”, note government sources in “ethnos.gr”.

The “black market” certificates on the internet are flourishing

The obligation and the strict restrictions that apply to vaccinators internationally, however, is the main reason for the “party” of selling fake certified vaccinations that has been set up on the internet with a growing clientele from Greece.

According to the most recent data published by the Checkpoint search (CPR), the research point of Check Point Software Technologies, is ascertained global black market boom for fake vaccination certificates on Telegram messaging platform, as “ethnos.gr” had pointed out in a previous report.

The “tariff” for the purchase of a plastic vaccination certificate for Europe, including Greece, is around $ 150, showing an increase compared to the previous research of the company.

Specifically, the findings of the recent investigation show that:

The “black market” is growing in 29 countries, including the newcomers to the list: Austria, Brazil, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Portugal, Singapore, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates.

· The price of counterfeit certificates has been issued worldwide, including in the US, at double the price of $ 200 from the previous $ 100.

· Respectively, the number of sellers and interested parties has increased 10 times and 12 times respectively.

At Telegram, sellers selling fake vaccine certifications are grouped together. Each group has a subscription base, indicative demand. Prior to US President Joe Biden’s announcement of compulsory vaccination in the public sector, groups of about 25,000 subscribers had been registered. «Biden’s announcement resulted in an immediate increase in the number of subscribers and followers, with some groups reaching as many as 300,000, an unprecedented numberIt is noted in an announcement of the company.

One of CPR’s latest observations concerns the creation of innovative technical sales using bots that create certificates on the spotIn Austria, for example, CPR has found a Telegram bot that creates fake certificates for free. All you need to do is fill in the relevant details and get a .pdf file containing all the additional data, such as a negative PCR test.

Based on the results of the company’s repeated surveys, while in December 2020 the internet demand was mainly for vaccine preparations, was relatively small and limited to the US through the dark operating system, in March 2021 it started selling plastic negative diagnostic tests and some documents. embolism to $ 135 – $ 150. Since last month, the demand for fake vaccination certificates has increased, while the illegal sales have been transferred mainly to Telegram.

Of course these certificates – if they never reach their recipients – will be located immediately, as the commander of the National Transparency Authority has repeatedly assured, Angelos Binis: “The certificate that someone gets from a printer that will be located at the first check. “There are no safeguards that we have nothing to do with what is sold on the net and it is very easy to detect returns that are very serious poetic or disciplinary sanctions if we are talking about a civil servant.” he repeated during his speech in a discussion that took place in the context of the 85th Thessaloniki International Fair.

Prices of fake vaccination certificates on the internet, according to ΚΑΡΠΑ

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