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A mass vaccination site worker in California has been busted for swiping more than 500 blank COVID-19 vaccine cards, police said.

Muhammad Rauf Ahmed, 45, of Las Vegas, was charged with grand theft for allegedly taking the vaccine cards, which were reported missing from the Pomona Fairplex site, La Verne police said Tuesday.

“LVPD detectives responded and determined that the suspect had stolen blank COVID-19 vaccine cards and put them in his car,” police said in a statement.

Authorities then raided his hotel room and discovered more of the blank cards.

A total of 528 vaccine cards were recovered from both locations, police said.

Ahmed had been working as a non-clinical contract employee at the vaccination site.

Police haven’t released a motive, but the alleged theft comes as a black market has popped up online for the counterfeit cards.


  The FBI is warning against buying or selling COVID-19 vaccine cards. AFP via Getty Images The FBI is warning against buying or selling COVID-19 vaccine cards. AFP via Getty Images

Federal authorities warned earlier this year against selling or purchasing them.

“If you did not receive the vaccine, do not buy fake vaccine cards, do not make your own vaccine cards, and do not fill-in blank vaccination record cards with false information,” the FBI said in a statement.

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