Russian authorities are investigating nurses and a doctor in Saint Petersburg accused of selling fake coronavirus vaccination certificates, as the country faces a deadly new wave, reports AFP.

The Investigative Committee, which probes major crimes, said a doctor and three nurses are suspected of pocketing at least 100,000 rubles from 12 people after selling official certificates without having administered jabs.

The 12 alleged buyers were entered into a state registry of vaccinated people, the Investigative Committee said in a statement on Saturday.