Italian nurse arrested for injecting over 50 fake Covid-19 jabs in exchange for bribe

A male nurse was arrested in the Italian town of Ancona for pretending to inject Covid-19 vaccines to at least 50 people in exchange for a bribe, police said.

The man was filmed appearing to discard the vaccine into a container for used needles, with people paying to earn a vaccination pass without actually getting the jab.

The man is being investigated by the Ancona tribunal for corruption, fake certificates and wasting public goods.

Four people who are suspected of being the mediators are also being held under house arrest, while 45 people who gained the fake certificates cannot leave their municipalities, under tribunal order.

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The investigation involves the main vaccination hub of the Marche region, in Ancona: The Paolinelli sports hall.

The group of workers at the vaccination center earned at least 18,000 euros (more than 20,000 US dollars) thanks to the illegal system, by faking at least 50 certificates according to the Italian police.

The unvaccinated people seeking the counterfeit certificate had come to Ancona from various Italian regions, and were paying approximately 400 euros (453 US dollars) for each certificate.

Italy from Monday targeted the unvaccinated with a host of new coronavirus restrictions with proof of vaccination or recovery from a recent infection required to enter public transport, coffee shops, hotels, gyms and other everyday activities.

The new “super” health pass requirement, which eliminates the ability to show just a negative test to gain access to services, comes as many Italians return to work and school after the Christmas and New Year's holidays.

It came as COVID-19 infections are soaring past 100,000 per day in Italy.