Egyptian authorities have dismantled a major criminal network that defrauded couples out of more than $520,000 (26 million Egyptian pounds) by selling forged medical certificates required for marriage.
An investigation coordinated by the Health Ministry and the cybercrime unit of Egypt’s Administrative Control Authority led to the arrest of 19 suspects. The syndicate operated fraudulent websites and social media accounts that directly impersonated a mandatory presidential health initiative. Launched in February 2023, the official government initiative requires all couples to undergo screening for non-communicable diseases and conditions like Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV before tying the knot.
During coordinated raids, investigators seized counterfeit government and private stamps, fake health ministry documents, computers, and printers used to execute the scam. Authorities also confiscated cash and property contracts believed to be illegal proceeds, urging the public to only access official government platforms.
