Three crooks caught helping over 70 people cheat crucial health and safety tests for construction jobs. The Met’s crackdown on fraud exposed their high-tech scam.
Bluetooth Earpieces Used to Outsmart Construction Exams
The Met’s online and financial crime unit uncovered a year-long fraud racket. An organised crime gang rigged construction safety tests across London using sneaky Bluetooth earpieces. This gadget fed fake answers to candidates, handing out bogus pass certificates.
Surveillance was ramped up at multiple test centres after the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) raised the alarm. With help from CITB and test provider Pearson Professional Assessments, officers tracked suspects through CCTV, phone logs, and location data.
Within six months, three men were arrested and charged.
Sentences Handed Down at Snaresbrook Crown Court
- Sushil Kumar, 37, of Redbridge – 2 years 8 months behind bars.
- Pradeep Sheragar, 35, of Redbridge – 2 years suspended sentence.
- Jaspal Sani, 43, of Newham – 1 year 3 months suspended sentence.
All three pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation on 12 January.
Met Detective on the Dangers of Construction Test Fraud
“Desperate candidates paid hundreds to cheat their way into construction jobs, risking safety on sites across London. The greed shown by Sheragar, Sani, and Kumar is disgraceful. Their actions put thousands of workers in danger,” said Detective Sergeant Neil Stanley.
“We’re pleased to see justice done, and we’ll keep working with CITB to stop these gangs profiting from vulnerable people.”
The gang charged up to £850 per cheat and are believed to have made more than £60,000 running the scam.
CITB Warns of Dangers and Calls for Vigilance
Christopher Simpson, Head of CITB Standards Setting Body, warned: “Cheating fraudsters risk lives by undermining safety standards. This conviction is a victory for everyone who values a competent construction workforce.”
“We’re working with CSCS to cancel fake tests and revoke fraudulently obtained CSCS cards. If you suspect cheating, report it confidentially at [email protected].”
This case sends a strong message: cheat health and safety tests, and you’ll face serious consequences, protecting the integrity of London’s construction sites and the workers on them.
