A Brampton man faked having COVID-19 in order to get out of work. He has been charged after he falsely claimed contact with someone infected with the novel coronavirus earlier this week.
The Man Who Cried Corona
Peel police was contacted by a Brampton business owner around 9:15 a.m. Monday following an immediate shutdown after an employee claimed contact with a family member who is positive with COVID-19. After careful investigation, officers found out that the claim was a hoax orchestrated by the man to get off of work. To be clear, there is no one from the man?s family who was sick with the novel coronavirus or was exposed to it.
The Brampton man is 39-years-old and works at a small business. He was charged with public mischief and released on the promise that he will appear at a later scheduled date in a Brampton court.
More Fake COVID-19 Cases
This is not the first case of someone pretending to have COVID-19. A McDonald?s worker in Hamilton was charged after a fake positive COVID-19 test less than a week ago. Just last Friday, the 18-year-old woman faked a doctor?s note stating a confirmed positive COVID-19 result to not have to work at McDonald?s for her shift. The restaurant had to shut down as a result and people were also made to worry needlessly. She was charged with fraud under $5,000 as she made and used a forged document as well as mischief over $5,000 for causing the restaurant to shutdown operations.
Warning Against Faking a Coronavirus Infection
The world is facing serious health and economic threats from having to shutdown places in relation to the spread of COVID-19 infection. Once a person is suspected of having it, an immediate tracing of people he/she came in contact it will be done, using up already strained government resources. Places that he/she frequented will be disinfected and possibly shut down, causing a substantial loss in revenue plus spread of fear, panic, and worry.
The damages of a fake positive COVID-19 infection go beyond just money. A case of COVID-19 should not be treated as a joke as there are people who place their lives in danger and have lost their lives in the fight against it. It is not worth it to lose one?s job and face serious legal consequences just to get out of work for a day or a few days by faking a novel coronavirus infection.
Beware of Fake COVID-19 Claims
If you have heard that someone you know may be infected with COVID-19, it is best to stay calm and verify the information. Contacting the local authorities will help as well. If you know of any information that are related to the cases above, kindly contact 22 Division at 905-453-2121 ext.1233. Should you wish to leave information anonymously, contact Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Are you a business owner who quickly needs to verify a claim of COVID-19 infection by your staff? Contact us at Haywood Hunt and we?ll see how we can help you avoid falling for fraud and possible COVID-19 scams with the use of our private investigation services.
