A shocking case of pandemic profiteering has come to light as a Chicago pharmacist was convicted of selling fake COVID-19 vaccination cards to unsuspecting buyers.
Tangtang Zhao, 36, of Chicago, was found guilty of 12 counts of theft of government property on Friday. The jury delivered the verdict after a three-week trial.
According to evidence presented at the trial, Zhao stole CDC-issued COVID-19 vaccination cards from the pharmacy where he worked and sold them to buyers across the country through an online marketplace.
Between March and April 2021, Zhao posted listings for over 650 COVID-19 vaccination cards, advertising them as ‘authentic’ and ‘straight from the CDC.’ He sold 630 cards to approximately 200 unique buyers, who paid Zhao more than $5,600.
The conviction is a significant blow to those who sought to exploit the pandemic for personal gain. Zhao now faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison after he is sentenced on November 28.
The case was investigated by the FBI and the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG). Trial Attorneys Claire Sobczak and Victor Yanz of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case.
Those with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline or submitting a complaint form on their website.
Related Federal Cases
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- Oliver Coverson, Bank Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft, Illinois 2020 · Indiana
- Yue Cao, Bank Fraud & Identity Theft, Illinois 2024 · Texas
- Amanda Komp, Bank Fraud and Theft, Arkansas 2017 · Arkansas
- William M. Mahon, Falsifying Bank Records and Tax Evasion, Illinois 2017 · Washington
Key Facts
- State: Illinois
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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