Three men have been sentenced following a Metropolitan Police investigation into a construction test fraud operation that enabled more than 70 candidates to cheat health and safety exams using concealed Bluetooth earpieces.
The scheme, which ran for around a year, involved candidates receiving answers during online Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) tests required to obtain CSCS cards and gain access to construction sites. Candidates were fed answers in real time through hidden devices while sitting the exams.
Detectives said the group charged up to £850 per candidate, generating more than £60,000 over several months.
The investigation began after the Construction Industry Training Board raised concerns about organised cheating at test centres across London. Officers worked alongside CITB and Pearson Professional Assessments, using surveillance, CCTV, call data and location tracking to identify those involved and build a case.
At Snaresbrook Crown Court on 31 March, Sushil Kumar, 37, of Redbridge, was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison. Pradeep Sheragar, 35, also of Redbridge, received a two-year sentence suspended for two years, while Jaspal Sani, 43, of Newham, was given a 15-month sentence suspended for two years.
All three had previously admitted fraud by false representation at the same court on 12 January.
Police said the operation posed a serious risk to safety by allowing individuals with little or no understanding of site procedures to obtain qualifications fraudulently.
Neil Stanley, who led the investigation, said: “Falsifying results is extremely dangerous and poses a risk to site workers across the city. The greed of Sheragar, Sani and Kumar showed a lack of regard to site workers and their safety.”
CITB said it will now work with CSCS to revoke any fraudulent test results and cancel cards obtained through the scheme.
Christopher Simpson, head of the CITB Standards Setting Body, said: “Cheats and fraudsters who circumvent these safety critical exams and assessments are putting lives at risk through this type of fraudulent activity, not only the person cheating, but members of the construction industry and public alike.”
