Fake doctor fined for bogus COVID-19 medical exemptions
Queensland-based Maria Carmela Pau handed out around 1200 counterfeit certificates and pocketed more than $120,000
A fake doctor who issued thousands of bogus medical exemptions for people to dodge COVID-19 tests, vaccinations and face masks has been fined $25,000.
Maria Carmela Pau, who pocketed more than $120,000 during the bogus certificate scam, pleaded guilty to masquerading as a medical doctor in Queensland’s Southport Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
The 45-year-old handed out more than 1200 counterfeit medical exemptions for people to avoid mandatory restrictions during the early wave of the global pandemic.
She charged for each exemption.
