(Madrid) Spanish police sources told AFP on Thursday that the 23-year-old, along with other athletes and public figures, were on a list of alleged buyers of these fake certificates. “We can confirm the name,” said these sources, referring to de Minaur.
“I received my first dose of vaccine in London last summer, and the second at La Paz Hospital in Madrid,” De Minaur wrote on his Instagram account.
“News came out today that the hospital is under investigation for providing false health passports to some of its patients. »
“I want it to be 100% clear that I received my second injection, that I have a completely valid, accurate and authentic vaccination record.”
“I am not being investigated as it is implied and my name is simply linked to this story because I was a patient in the hospital (like thousands of others). »
Australian, 32and world, participated in the Australian Open last month, where vaccination was compulsory, which had earned the world No.1 Novak Djokovic to be excluded from the tournament and expelled from the country.
Spanish police closed the second phase of “Operation Jenner” this week, which began in January on the Spanish branch of an organization providing fake COVID-19 and PCR passes via messaging apps.
The investigation revealed that the leaders of this group were based in France, police said.
A total of 11 people were arrested, accused of “forgery and use of forgery”, and 2,200 others were investigated for fraudulently obtaining false health passports.
The network offered fake PCR results for around 50 euros ($57) and fake health passes for 200 euros ($227). Wealthier customers had to pay up to 1,000 euros ($1,137) for documents proving they were fully vaccinated.
According to the Spanish police, the group would have been helped by a person working in the health services, the investigation also interested in the possible theft of access codes.
Payments for false documents were made using cryptocurrencies “via accounts opened in third countries. »
Once payment was received, customers were given a code in which the fraudulent vaccination schedule was recorded.
Two days later, they could get their COVID-19 passport in which two or three doses of vaccine were recorded as having been received.
The police investigation is still ongoing, and the final phase involves the arrest of the leaders of the organization.
