Teen uses French president Emmanuel Macron's vaccine passport as a 'prank'

In Marseille, a young man without a health pass presented Emmanuel Macron's QR code at the entrance to a hospital.

COVID certificate
© Getty Images
COVID certificate

A few weeks ago, the QR code for Emmanuel Macron's health pass was leaked on the internet, allowing any unscrupulous person to use the president's vaccination certification. Since then, the people behind the leak have been identified and the code deactivated, but that didn't stop a 19-year-old man from trying his luck by presenting the document at the entrance to a hospital in Marseille.

Discover our latest podcast

Placed in police custody

The events took place on Tuesday 5 October at Sainte-Marguerite hospital, south of Marseille. A 19-year-old man who did not have a health pass presented Emmanuel Macron's pass to take part in a working group inside the building.

In France, vaccine passports are mandatory to enter restaurants, bars, museums and sports events.

Not fooled, the security guards quickly spotted the deception, but decided to let him in any way, before calling the police and following him discreetly.

Once the authorities arrived, the young man was taken into custody, during which he tried to justify himself.

4th class ticket

According to Actu17, the fraudster was simply pulling a prank.

However, this justification was not convincing: the man was fined a 4th class fine for 'presenting a health document belonging to a third party during an access control to a place in the context of the fight against the spread of the epidemic.'

The amount of the fine? A sum that can go up to 750 euros... That's a pretty hefty price for what was originally supposed to be a little joke.

French president Emmanuel Macron tests positive for COVID-19 French president Emmanuel Macron tests positive for COVID-19