Internet fraudsters sell medical certificates for drivers: what consequences await the buyer

Fake medical certificates for drivers Photo: Main Service Center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs

Criminals who offer to “buy” a medical report on the Internet have become active again the possibility of driving a motor vehicle without passing a real medical examination. Such offers are distributed through social networks, messaging programs, dubious websites or even in the form of advertisements with attractive phrases – “official opinion without a medical commission”, “expeditiously and at a low price”, “with a guarantee of inclusion in the database”. The Main Service Center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in cooperation with the Cyber ​​Police Department of the National Police of Ukraine warns about the danger.

“A medical opinion on fitness to drive vehicles is issued exclusively in medical institutions that have a valid license to carry out medical activities. No intermediary or “online resource” has the right to issue such documents. Passing a medical examination is not a formality and is not a formal requirement. In this way, the state takes care of the safety of all road users, as doctors check whether a person can drive a vehicle without danger to yourself or others. The medical opinion is designed not to complicate the future driver’s life, but to prevent tragic situations on the road, screening out cases where the state of health is a contraindication to driving,” the National Police informs.

How scammers work

The police remind that the use of false documents is punishable by part 4 of Article 358 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. This is punishable by a fine of up to fifty tax-free minimum incomes of citizens (850 hryvnias) or arrest for a term of up to six months, or restriction of freedom for a term of up to two years.

Detection of falsified “conclusions” in service centers of the Ministry of Internal Affairs Despite the efforts of fraudsters who try to circumvent the law and use false documents, employees of the service centers of the Ministry of Internal Affairs systematically detect such attempts. Their vigilance and competence make it possible to prevent illegal actions even at the stage of submitting documents. Even the slightest doubt about the authenticity of a medical report is a reason for a detailed check, because the safety of citizens and trust in state institutions remain important.

Thus, recently in Lviv, during the theoretical exam for obtaining a driver’s license, an employee of the service center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs noticed signs of falsification in the provided medical report. A citizen born in 2005 tried to use a forged document, but the fact was exposed in time, and the law enforcement authorities were immediately informed about the case.

How to protect yourself The main service center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the cyber police recommend:

• receive medical reports only in health care institutions that have a license (you can check it in the register of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine);
• never give your personal data to third parties or to suspicious websites;
• do not rely on advertising in social networks, even if the page looks official;
• if you have become the object of fraud – immediately submit an electronic complaint to the cyber police using the link or call 102.

Remember: any “simple” scheme for issuing official documents is most likely a fraud. An official opinion on fitness to drive vehicles can be issued only after a personal medical examination, and only by a licensed medical institution. Use only official sources and always check information before agreeing to “good” offers.

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