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Market Intelligence

Jail for man who used fake name and CSCS card to work on building sites
, By Eric Bignell

Prison for Nigerian who used a false name and frauduelnt CSCS card to work on a British building site.

A man who used a false name and a fraudulent CSCS card to work on UK construction sites has been sentenced to six months in jail following a Home Office and Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) investigation.

Gideon Emeka Okafor, a 23-year-old Nigerian national, was sentenced on 26 January at Sheffield Crown Court.

Okafor was arrested in November 2016 and charged with using a fake French national identification card in order to obtain a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card in August 2015.

It’s understood he then used the fake CSCS card to work illegally on construction sites in London for more than a year.

Okafor was caught following a Home Office investigation into his false documentation. Information from CITB, which delivers the administration of the CSCS card scheme on behalf of CSCS Ltd, confirmed that a card had been issued in the name of ‘Patrice Beziat’, an alias being used by Okafor. 

Ian Sidney, former Police Superintendent who is now a Fraud Manager at CITB, said: “CITB is working closely with the Home Office to keep fraud out of construction. We hope that the sentencing of this young man sends a message loud and clear to fraudsters – there’s no place for you in the construction industry and you will be caught.

"The case also highlights the need for employers to be vigilant in checking workers’ documentation and to keep an eye out for any suspicious activity. Fraudsters on construction sites present a danger to themselves and others and we need to work together to stamp this activity out.”

What to do if you spot a fraudulent card

Employers are urged to conduct regular checks on cards either using CSCS smart card readers or the CITB online card checker on the CITB website.

If you think you know someone using a fraudulent card you should:

  1. Retain the card if possible
  2. Make photocopies of front and back
  3. Record the cardholder’s name and address
  4. Ask the cardholder where the card was obtained
  5. Call the local police and report the matter
  6. Refuse access to site (subject to company rules)
  7. Forward copies of all evidence to CITB Quality Assurance Team, Building 16, Bircham Newton, King’s Lynn, PE31 6RH, marked ‘SUSPECTED FRAUDULENT CARD’ with details of the crime number given by local police. 
  8. You can also email your evidence to