A Nigerian national has been prosecuted for using a fake skills card to work on constructions sites in the UK.

Gideon Emeka Okafor, 23, was charged with using a fake French national identification card in order to obtain a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card in August 2015. He was sentenced to six months' jail at Sheffield Crown Court on Thursday, 26 January.

It is understood Mr Okafor used the fake CSCS card to work illegally on construction sites in London for over a year. He was caught following a Home Office investigation into his false documentation, supported with information from the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB).


It was discovered the CSCS card had been issued in the name of 'Patrice Beziat', Mr Okafor's alias.

Ian Sidney, Fraud Manager at CITB and former Police Superintendent, 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."

(LM/MH)