(They) falsified data of the swab tests, under the name of PT BF, to be able to travel to Bali.Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Jakarta Metropolitan Police arrested three people over charges of producing fraudulent copies of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) swab test certificates marketed online on social media.
"(They) falsified data of the swab tests, under the name of PT BF, to be able to travel to Bali," Chief of the Public Relations Service of the Jakarta Metropolitan Police Senior Commissioner Yusri Yunus stated here on Thursday.
PCR is one of the methods followed to check presence of the SARS CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 by detecting the DNA virus. This test will determine whether somebody is positive for SARS-CoV-2.
The three people are identified by their initials as MFA, EAD, and MAIS. MFA was arrested in Bandung, EAD in Bekasi, and MAIS in Bali.
The PCR swab test certificate forgery case came to the light after MFA uploaded the forged swab test certificate on social media.
"Need PCR, send ID card without true swab test? It is ready in one hour. It can be used to travel all over Indonesia, not only Bali. The date can be chosen, D-1/D-2 It. 100% passes through testimonies 30+," the suspect stated on his Instagram account @hanzdays. This upload has, since then, created a stir among netizens, including Dr Tirta Mandira Hudhi.
News circulating about the fake PCR swab test certificate among netizens reached PT. Bumame Farmasi (BF), as the authorized organizer of PCR swab testing, whose name was used on the fake certificate.
BF's lawyer then reported the case to the Jakarta Metropolitan Police.
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Translator: Fianda Sjofjan R/Suharto
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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