The Mechanicville Police Department (MPD) shared a photo of the obvious fake next to an authentic inspection section the motorist had hoped would fool officers.

Drawn in pen, the fake included the same phrase “New York State Safety/ Emissions Inspection certificate,” as well as all the months and current year included on all stickers.

While not a good attempt, it at least tried to copy the original somewhat compared to the fake’s take on the Seal of New York, which appeared to be little more than a scribble.

The shoddy workmanship was not lost on officers who shared a photo of the fake alongside the real inspection sticker in a tongue-in-cheek Facebook post.

An MPD spokesperson said in a January 12 post: “This is a picture of an actual ‘inspection sticker’ recovered today during a traffic stop. Can you spot the fake? We thought so.

“Take a moment and check to make sure your vehicles are properly inspected. A properly maintained vehicle is safer for everyone on the road, they perform better, and yearly inspections are required by law.”

As of Monday morning, the post had attracted more than 720 reactions and was shared on some 1,400 occasions.

Newsweek has contacted the MPD for comment.

According to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), all vehicles registered in New York State must get a safety inspection at a DMV-approved inspection station every 12 months and also when ownership of the vehicle is transferred.

It added: “A valid inspection sticker must be displayed on your vehicle. Inspections expire the last day of the month punched on the inspection sticker.”

Earlier this month, authorities warned Americans that fake at-home testing kits were being sold online.

In a statement, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warned the fake tests are not only a waste of money, but also could increase the chance of unknowingly spreading COVID-19 and not getting the correct treatment.

It added that some “opportunistic scammers” are taking “advantage of the spike in demand.”

The FTC recommended people should research the seller before buying from a website they are not familiar with.

“Search online for the website, company, or seller’s name plus words like ‘scam,’ ‘complaint,’ or ‘review,’” the statement said.

The FTC also suggested people should compare reviews from a wide variety of websites and not only rely on one.