Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Chicago Pharmacist Faces 120 Years Behind Bars For Selling Authentic Vaccine Cards On eBay

Chicago Pharmacist Faces 120 Years Behind Bars For Selling Authentic Vaccine Cards On eBay
skaman306/Getty Images

Chicago pharmacist Tangtang Zhao is facing up to 120 years in prison after selling Covid-19 vaccination cards on eBay.

According to a statement released by the US Department of Justice, the 34-year-old licensed pharmacist sold 125 authentic Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) vaccination cards on eBay to 11 separate customers for $10 per card, profiting just over one thousand dollars from the sales.


While the statement only refers to his place of employment as Company 1, a report from CBS Chicago revealed Zhao to be working at a Walgreens in Chicago's south side.

The US Department of Justice released their full statement on their Twitter page.


Zhao was arrested and charged with 12 counts of theft of government property, facing up to ten years in prison per count.

If Zhao is found guilty on all counts, he would end up serving 120 years in prison.

Zhao's criminal sale of the vaccine cards comes at a time when Covid-19 cases are rising all over the world, owing to the highly contagious Delta variant.

As a result, more and more indoor businesses such as restaurants, gyms and performance venues are requiring proof of Covid vaccination before entering.

With that in mind, it's not hard to imagine unvaccinated individuals would happily pay $10 on eBay for an official CDC vaccine card if it meant they could dine indoors or go to the movies, regardless of the risk they were putting themselves and others in.

Getting the actual vaccination is free and comes with a free vaccine card.

Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite Jr. of the Justice Department's Criminal Division emphasized the seriousness of Zhao's offense as well as the blow it dealt to confidence in vaccinations, as evidenced by a quote in the US Department of Justice's statement.

"We take seriously, and will vigorously investigate, any criminal offense that contributes to the distrust around vaccines and vaccination status."
"The Department of Justice and its law enforcement partners are committed to protecting the American people from these offenses during this national emergency."

Similarly, Special Agent in Charge Emmerson Buie Jr. of the FBI's Chicago Field Office stressed not only was this a federal crime, but Zhao's actions also put lives in danger.

"Knowingly selling COVID vaccination cards to unvaccinated individuals puts millions of Americans at risk of serious injury or death."
"To put such a small price on the safety of our nation is not only an insult to those who are doing their part in the fight to stop COVID-19, but a federal crime with serious consequences."

Special Agent in Charge Lamont Pugh III of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office of Inspector General joined in in declaring illegally selling vaccine cards is "inexcusable and will not be tolerated."

"Fraudsters who engage in such unlawful conduct undermine efforts to address the pandemic and profit at the public's expense."
"The health and safety of the public is our top priority, and we encourage people to obtain vaccination cards from their administering medical providers."

Twitter reacted to the news with a mix of shock and disgust, amazed a licensed pharmacist would be so complacent as the pandemic rages on.









One user couldn't help but point out the painful irony people actually paid $10 to buy a card when they could have received the life-saving vaccine for free.


Zhao's case is currently under investigation by the FBI.

Former federal prosecutor Steven Block told CBS Chicago it is possible, but unlikely, those who purchased the cards from Zhao would face any criminal charges.

"The government probably wants to get the healthcare provider, the person with the license."

Walgreens has yet to comment on the incident.

More from Trending

Offset and Cardi B
Catherine Powell/Getty Images for MTV

Rapper Offset Is Getting Dragged Hard After Blaming His Divorce On Cardi B Not Cooking For Him

Rapper Offset is facing public pushback after trying to shade his ex, Cardi B, with lyrics about her not cooking for him—like it's 1925 instead of 2025.

Leading up to the release of the song "Move On," Offset told the Associated Press:

Keep ReadingShow less
Donald Trump
Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

'The Daily Show' Epically Drags MAGA's American Flag Obsession With Hilariously NSFW Parody Ad

The Daily Show had people cackling after it skewered President Donald Trump and his MAGA followers over their obsession with the American flag with a parody ad for the "Trump Love Flag" that calls for people to not "desecrate, just fornicate."

Trump on Monday signed an executive order directing federal prosecutors to pursue criminal charges against people who burn American flags during protests.

Keep ReadingShow less
Karoline Leavitt
Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images

Karoline Leavitt Gets Brutal Reminder After Making Brazen Claim About Trump's 'Transparency'

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt had people rolling their eyes after she took to X to claim that President Donald Trump is the "most transparent and accessible" president in history.

Leavitt made the claim in response to a tweet from White House correspondent Philip Wegmann, who writes for the conservative news site RealClearPolitics, one of the right-wing news outlets accredited by the White House as part of a larger shake-up intended to counter "liberal news narratives."

Keep ReadingShow less
Donald Trump; Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce
Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images; Brooke Sutton/Getty Images

Trump Had A Shockingly Normal Reaction To Travis And Taylor's Engagement—And He's Getting Roasted Alive For It

President Donald Trump was widely mocked for his surprisingly supportive reaction to the news that Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce and musician Taylor Swift are engaged to be married.

In a post on Instagram, Swift announced that “Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married,” sharing photos of Kelce kneeling on one knee before her in a flower-filled garden.

Keep ReadingShow less
Two women resting their heads on a man's shoulders
a group of people posing for the camera

People Who've Had A Threesome Reveal What Surprised Them Most

From time to time, a couple might look for ways to spice up their relationship, fearing they may have lost some of their spark.

Conversely, some people look for ways to break free of their sexual comfort zone and be more adventurous.

Keep ReadingShow less