Indian national, Manjit Multani, paid someone to sit the health and safety tests required to obtain the Construction Skills Certification Scheme card and Construction Plant Certification Scheme card.

A Construction Industry Training Board investigation found he was using the cards to work on building sites across London and Milton Keynes.

Multani also used a number of fake names in order to work illegally in the UK.

He was arrested by Home Office Immigration Enforcement officers in February but failed to answer his bail.

He was then arrested again on motoring offences when they discovered he was wanted by police.

He pleaded guilty in Luton Crown Court to eight charges including misuse of identity documents and fraudulently obtaining leave to remain in the UK.

Ian Sidney, Fraud Investigator at the CITB led the investigation into Multani’s cards and qualifications and immediately revoked his CPCS card in February after the tip off from the Home Office.

Sidney assisted the Home Office with their investigation and provided a witness statement which was considered during sentencing.

He said: “The risks these people pose when illegally working in the construction industry are huge, so it’s encouraging to see that those who do brought to justice.

“Fraud is incredibly damaging to the reputation of the industry and worse, it puts people’s lives in jeopardy.

“Building sites can be hazardous if workers do not have the relevant training and qualifications, so it is lucky one was injured.

“We simply will not tolerate any illegal activities and will continue to work with the police to prosecute fraudsters.”