Two nurses from Long Island were recently placed under arrest for allegedly scamming people with forged Covid-19 vaccination cards in return for money.

The elaborate scheme helped the duo rack up over $1.5 million, according to reports.

The plan was orchestrated by 49-year-old nurse practitioner Julie DeVuono and 44-year-old licensed practical nurse, Marissa Urraro. According to the Suffolk County Police Department, the duo is accused of charging forged vaccine cards for a price of $220 for adults and $85 for the underaged.

Rodney K. Harrison, Police Commissioner of Suffolk County spoke to NBC 4 and said, “As nurses, these two individuals should understand the importance of legitimate vaccination cards as we all work together to protect public health.”

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According to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, the nurses had been running the scheme since November 2021 out of Wild Child Pediatric Healthcare in AmityVille, Long Island, New York. The healthcare centre is owned and managed by DeVuono. 

The duo would file fake data in the New York State Immunization Information System (NYSIIS) to fraudulently list the individuals as inoculated.

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According to NBC 4, officials also said that DeVuono and Urraro would set up fake vaccine cards for undercover NYPD officials as well.

Investigators found $900,000 in cash at DeVuono’s home, according to prosecutors. Other financial records at DeVuono’s home indicate the duo allegedly having racked up over $1.5 million in profits.

Both the nurses were charged with forgery. DeVuono was also charged for “offering fraud.”

A similar instance took place in Italy earlier this month where a group of Italian scamsters were placed under arrest for pretending to jab people with the Covid-19 vaccine. The group and mediators of the scheme would pretend to vaccinate people and then forge fake vaccine certificates in return for money. The incident occurred days after Italy had announced restrictions such as mandatory vaccination for using public transportation.