Spoedtest.nl, one of the major government-subsidised COVID-19 testing companies in the Netherlands, is under investigation following reports that it issued fake vaccination certificates to members of the public.
The issue of fake QR codes is a growing problem in the Netherlands, as the government’s coronavirus certificate system continues to be expanded. But new developments have revealed that one of the COVID-19 testing sites funded by the Dutch government has been accused of handing out fake vaccination certificates to customers.
On Monday, the Ministry of Health filed a report against Spoedtest.nl, and the Dutch police are investigating the issue. The company is reported to have issued “quite a number of false vaccination certificates” via the CoronaCheck app.
"We aim to block as many fraudulently issued vaccination certificates as possible,” explained a ministry spokesperson, confirming the report against “a large commercial test provider” because of “strong suspicions of fraud.”
The company, based in Amsterdam, claims to be the largest coronavirus test provider in the Netherlands, with over 100 testing sites across the country. While the Ministry refused to reveal which testing company was under investigation, Spoedtest.nl has since confirmed that it no longer has access to the CoronaCheck app.
Of the 2.000 people working for Spoedtest.nl, only five are said to have had access to the system used to generate recovery certificates. All five have declared their innocence. Founder of the company, Rasmus Emmelkamp, has called the allegations unfounded, but has pledged full and transparent cooperation with the Ministry’s investigation. The company is also carrying out an internal investigation.
On its website, the company writes that members of the public can continue to book tests, but confirms it is “no longer affiliated with the CoronaCheck app.” This means customers can receive the documentation required to travel internationally, but won’t be issued a so-called Testen voor Toegang QR code for use within the Netherlands.