Candidates taking CITB’s health and safety test received answers via concealed Bluetooth device.
An investigation conducted by the Metropolitan Police has led to three men being sentenced for helping people cheat in the Construction Industry Training Board’s (CITB) Health, Safety and Environment test.
In a scheme that ran from July 2022 to February 2023, the investigation found that 70 candidates had paid the group between £500 and £850 to receive information during the test via a Bluetooth headset.
They were told to book a test that requires voiceover access, which uses headphones to play an audio recording of the questions and provide multiple-choice answers. The group was then able to tether into the call and provide the correct answers.
Candidates were shown how to hide a phone in their underwear and run a wireless Bluetooth earpiece concealed underneath the headphones.
The investigation was triggered after the CITB raised concerns about cheating in Pearson VUE test centres across the South East of England, including Wimbledon, Reading, Canterbury, Guildford and Brighton.
Sentencing
At Snaresbrook Crown Court on Tuesday, 31 March, Sushil Kumar, 37, was sentenced to two years eight months imprisonment; Pradeep Sheragar, 35, was given a two-year sentence, suspended for two years; and Jaspal Sani, 43 given a one year and three months sentence, suspended for two years.
All three men pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation on Monday, 12 January at the same court.
The CITB test is the main safety exam required to obtain a Construction Skills Certification Scheme card.
Christopher Simpson, head of 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.”
