A Metropolitan Police investigation has led to three men being sentenced for helping more than 70 individuals cheat on a construction health and safety test, raising concerns about site safety and skills certification across the industry.
The offences relate to fraudulent activity linked to exams required for obtaining a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card, a key qualification for working on UK construction sites.
Bluetooth Cheating Scheme Targeted Construction Test Centres
Officers investigating online and financial crime uncovered a year-long operation involving the use of Bluetooth earpieces to feed answers to candidates during exams.
The investigation began after concerns were raised by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) about irregular test results. Surveillance was carried out across multiple test centres in London, with support from Pearson Professional Assessments.
Using CCTV, location tracking, and call data, officers identified the suspects and gathered evidence leading to arrests and charges within six months.
Sentences Handed Down at Snaresbrook Crown Court
At Snaresbrook Crown Court on 31 March, the three men were sentenced after pleading guilty to fraud by false representation:
- Sushil Kumar (37) was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison
- Pradeep Sheragar (35) received a two-year suspended sentence
- Jaspal Sani (43) received a one year and three month suspended sentence
The group charged individuals up to £850 to cheat the test and are believed to have made more than £60,000.
Impact on Construction Safety and Standards
The case has highlighted risks to construction site safety, as individuals without the required knowledge of health and safety standards were able to obtain qualifications fraudulently.
Detective Sergeant Neil Stanley, who led the 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.”
CITB Response and Industry Safeguards
Christopher Simpson, Head of Standards Setting Body at CITB, said the case underlines the importance of maintaining robust testing standards:
“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.”
Focus on Protecting Workforce Competency
The case forms part of wider efforts to protect competency standards across the construction workforce, particularly as the industry places increased emphasis on safety, compliance, and skills verification. Enforcement action against fraudulent certification is expected to remain a priority for regulators and industry bodies.
