Fake COVID-19 Vaccination Certificates Detected at Borders

Dr Wan Rizal asked the Minister for Home Affairs (a) what is the number of (i) fake vaccination certificates that have been detected at our borders by ICA and (ii) fake Singapore-based vaccination certificates that have been detected at foreign borders; (b) whether the perpetrators of such cases have been apprehended locally or abroad; and (c) whether any action will be taken against perpetrators of fake vaccination certificates and if so, what are the penalties.

Since August 2021, selected groups of travellers to Singapore are required to show documentary proof of their full vaccination status to be eligible for vaccination-differentiated safe management measures.

Singapore is currently in bilateral discussions with several countries and regions on establishing mechanisms for the authentication of digital vaccination certificates. For countries where such verification mechanisms are not yet in place, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) would conduct manual checks on the physical certificates.

To-date, there have been no cases of fake vaccination certificates detected at our borders. We have also not received any reports on detection of fake Singapore-issued vaccination certificates at foreign borders.

A person who presents a fake vaccination certificate at our borders could be liable for an offence of providing false or misleading information or document under section 64(b) of the Infectious Diseases Act. If convicted, first-time offenders are liable to punishment of a fine not exceeding $10,000 or imprisonment term not exceeding six months, or both.

A person who is found to have presented a fake Singapore-issued vaccination certificate at foreign borders would be dealt with under the laws of the countries where the offence was discovered. The person could also be investigated by the Singapore Police Force if there is evidence that an offence has been committed in Singapore.