When officials in Moscow made vaccinations against the coronavirus mandatory for service and retail workers as well as government employees, Russia’s fraudsters spotted an opportunity.
Within days of last month’s decision, a thriving black market for fake vaccination certificates had emerged. The trade was fuelled by a potent mixture of corruption and widespread mistrust of vaccines, which means many Russians are willing to pay to avoid the jab.
At the lower end of the market, people can buy forged vaccination documents for as little as 1,200 roubles (£12). For those with a bit more money to spend, online accounts on the messaging app Telegram are offering certificates that include registration on Russia’s national database of people who have received the vaccine. There is no need
