Three men sentenced following Met investigation into construction test fraud

A Met investigation has resulted in three men being sentenced for helping more than 70 people cheat on a health and safety construction exam using a Bluetooth earpiece.

Officers working on the Met’s response to online and financial crime in the capital uncovered a year-long fraud operation by an organised crime group.

They carried out surveillance on many construction test centres across London after the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) raised concerns about an alleged cheating scheme using a Bluetooth earpiece technology. The earpiece was used to provide answers to candidates resulting in fraudulent pass results.

Officers worked with CITB and Pearson Professional Assessments to identify the suspects and monitor them. Using CCTV, location and call data, officers were able to gather strong evidence to arrest and charge the three men within six months of the allegations being made.

At Snaresbrook Crown Court on Tuesday, 31 March:

• Sushil Kumar, 37 (06.05.1988) of Belmont Road, Redbridge, was sentenced to two years eight months imprisonment.
• Pradeep Sheragar, 35 (28.09.1990) of Orchestra House, Redbridge, was given a two year sentence, suspended for two years.
• Jaspal Sani, 43 (12.07.1982) of Lonsdale Avenue, Newham, was given a one year and three month sentence, suspended for two years.

All three men pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation on Monday, 12 January at the same court.

Their conviction and sentences are a result of the Met‘s work to tackle organised criminality and ensures health and safety standards within the construction industry are protected.

Detective Sergeant Neil Stanley, who led the Met’s investigation, said:

“Out of sheer desperation, victims handed over hundreds of pounds to gain employment on construction sites even though they were underqualified or had little knowledge of health and safety standards.

“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.

“I’m pleased our work has resulted in these three men being jailed and will put a stop to the exploitation of vulnerable victims. Officers will continue to work with CITB to root out organised crime groups and halt them profiting off vulnerable people.”

People paid Sheragar, Sani, and Kumar up to £850 to help them cheat the test. The group is thought to have made over £60,000 over several months.

The actions of the three men undermined the integrity of the CSCS card process which is a qualification people need to work on construction sites.

Christopher Simpson, Head of CITB Standards Setting Body, said:

“Part of our role at CITB is to ensure that the construction workforce is well-trained and competent, and this means ensuring our testing methods are robust and everyone is completing tests to the standard expected.

“This is a great result following a complex and detailed investigation. 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.

“We are committed to ensuring that colleagues and members of the public are kept safe, with an industry that they can rely on. CITB will be working with our colleagues at CSCS to ensure that fraudulent tests are revoked and that any CSCS cards that may have been obtained fraudulently are also withdrawn.

“If you suspect someone has cheated to get their training and assessment credentials, please call it out, and help stamp it out. You can report matters confidentially via report.it@citb.co.uk”