NSW Police are investigating a "selfish and sickening fraud" after money was apparently exchanged for COVID-19 vaccination appointments at a major hospital in Sydney.
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AAP understands people on the Chinese language social media app WeChat were asked to pay $300 to secure a quick turnaround booking for Pfizer at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney's inner west.
Police Minister David Elliott on Thursday described it "probably the most selfish and sickening fraud case that you could have occur during a pandemic".
"A number of people have been attempting to gain profit using the anxieties of members of the public to get a vaccine earlier than is necessary," Mr Elliott told reporters.
Health staff identified suspicious bookings through the eligibility checking process and then called the police, says the Sydney Local Health District.
The state's cyber crime unit set up a strike force over the weekend.
A police spokesperson told AAP that members of the public had attended the hospital for "fraudulent vaccination bookings".
"Police have been told the fraudulent bookings were made through an online vaccination booking service under allocations for essential healthcare workers," the spokesperson said.
About 60 people who were ineligible for priority bookings made appointments meant for health care workers over the weekend, NSW Police say.
A "small number" paid for them, Superintendent Matthew Craft said on Thursday.
The issue was uncovered after people were asked to verify their status as essential health care workers and could not do so.
Supt Craft said somebody had accessed the online booking system and changed the employment status for the 60 people.
Police have not yet identified who is behind the scam but are investigating whether a health staffer could be involved.
"We're not able to attribute blame to a particular person at this time ... certainly we believe that somebody that is familiar with the online system has been involved," he said.
Mr Elliott reminded members of the public that COVID-19 vaccinations are free.
The investigation comes after a Sydney GP clinic was kicked out of the vaccine rollout and referred to the health watchdog for charging migrant workers hundreds of dollars to receive the Pfizer vaccine.
The patients of Blessed Health Care in Campsie were largely from the Chinese-language community.
AAP and other media outlets have previously reported that booking links intended for priority groups have been used in NSW by people who are not yet eligible for Pfizer, though not in exchange for money.
"When individuals are making members of the public pay for a vaccination process that is free, this is a crime," Supt Craft said.
"Members of the public ... are entitled to receive the vaccination, but it is about priority, and they need to be truthful when they apply online."
A Sydney Local Health District spokesperson said that there are "multiple checks" in place during the booking process and on arrival to make sure a person is eligible.
"Those people found to be ineligible on arrival are not vaccinated that day. Instead, they are ask to register their details and rebook when they become eligible for a vaccination," the spokesperson said.
The NSW Health Multicultural Health Communications Service has a WeChat account providing health information to the Chinese-speaking community, according to the spokesperson.
Australian Associated Press
