A Macomb County man with ties to St. Clair accused of selling blank COVID-19 vaccination cards on a phony Facebook page is now the subject of a civil lawsuit filed by the Michigan Attorney General’s Office, officials said Wednesday.
State investigators said Christopher Michael Holland was soliciting buyers for the blank vaccination cards on the Mom2MomSwap-Macomb County Facebook page.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said her office continues to see pandemic-related scams popping up in the state.
“Let this be a warning to those who try to profit from the pandemic. We will continue to dig into complaints and vigorously pursue those who violate” the Michigan Consumer Protection Act, Nessel said in a news release.
Holland, 50, of Macomb Township, used the alias of Kristin Holliday on Facebook, with alleged residences in St. Clair, Mich. and Clearwater, Fla., as part of the scam, court records show.
He is facing a court-ordered eviction from his residence and must be out by Feb. 18, according to court records. Investigators waived a 10-day rule to advise Holland of legal action being taken against him because they said once Holland vacates his current residence there likely will be difficulty in finding him, records show.
According to the release, Nessel filed a petition in Macomb County Circuit Court this past August to launch an investigation to find out the identity of the apparent scammer who solicited buyers for the blank cards on the Mom2Mom page.
The Facebook account behind the posts was determined to be a fake persona, Nessel said.
The court issued an order authorizing issuance of civil investigative subpoenas on Sept. 3, which allowed the Attorney General’s office to pressure Facebook and internet providers for additional information behind the account.
Following an investigation by the Department of Attorney General’s Corporate Oversight Division, and based on the information obtained through the subpoenas, the Attorney General alleges in the lawsuit that Holland was behind the fake Facebook page and posts online.
The civil action, which is now available on the Department of Attorney General’s website, includes the following requests of the court to :
• Declare Holland engaged in unlawful conduct in violation of the Michigan Consumer Protection Act (MCPA) and permanently prohibit him, whether acting directly or through any person, entity, or other device, from engaging in conduct in violation of the MCPA.
• Permanently stop Holland from selling goods and services, whether online or elsewhere in Michigan, by using false or misleading information about his identity.
• Require Holland to pay attorney fees, investigation costs and other costs incurred by the Department of Attorney General in conjunction with this action.
Earlier this month, Nessel issued a Notice of Intended Action to three pharmacies – located in Holland, Madison Heights and Birch Run – following complaints related to an at-home COVID-19 test kit being sold for far more than it should.
In January, she issued warnings related to reports of fake at-home COVID-19 tests being sold online.
Anyone aware of COVID-related scams, or any consumer scam, is encouraged to file a complaint online with the Department. Anyone with questions is asked to call 877-765-8388.
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