Check Point Research (CPR) has warned of a huge increase in demand for fake vaccination certificates and negative tests in the UK and around Europe. Over the last few days many countries and cities in Europe announced that vaccination certificates or negative coronavirus tests will be required to enter restaurants, cinemas or events. In England, it was announced this week that this evidence will be required to enter nightclubs from the end of September.
CPR’s key findings include:
- The number of users joining groups with fraudulent tests and certificates for sale continues increasing dramatically. In Europe, the number of users registered into communication channels with fake certificates multiplied by 10 in just a few days.
- These groups offer certificates from different European countries, such as the Netherlands, France, Switzerland or Greece.
- In the past two days, CPR was able to track groups that have between 70,000 and 500,000 members.
Derek Middlemiss, Head of Security Solutions Engineering EMEA at Check Point Software said: “Latest figures in the UK show that 35% of 18 to 30-year-olds have not yet had their first jab. However, the government has now announced proof of vaccination will be needed in English nightclubs from the end of September, and this is the age group that is most likely to go to such places. If the growth of fake vaccine certs seen in Europe, after France introduced similar measures, is anything to go by then we can expect a huge spike in activity from cybercriminals offering bogus certificates for the unwary in the UK. This is a huge concern, as it will give revellers and venue staff a false sense of security.”
