William White, 63, was sentenced to two years and seven months in prison after admitting conspiracy to defraud and converting criminal property following a joint investigation by the Construction Industry Training Board and Essex Police.

The investigation exposed a sophisticated operation at the Whitewaters Training Centre in Halstead, Essex, where 511 CITB Health, Safety and Environment tests were fraudulently completed.

White worked with Kujtim Osmani, 27, and Artur Dauti, 24, to sell bogus test passes to candidates seeking access to construction sites without legitimately sitting the exam.

Investigators found workers were paying up to £500 for a fraudulent pass on a test that normally costs £23.50.

The scam unravelled after CITB investigators flagged suspicious activity at the centre in August 2022.

A police raid on the premises in October 2023 uncovered evidence of organised and systematic cheating.

White was found to have masterminded all 511 fraudulent tests. Investigators estimate he collected at least £153,000 from the scheme and potentially substantially more.

Osmani received a one-year and seven-month prison sentence suspended for two years and was ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work. Dauti received a one-year and 10-month suspended sentence, also with 200 hours of unpaid work.

A Proceeds of Crime Act hearing later this year will determine how much of the illicit earnings can be recovered.

CITB has already stripped all 511 fraudulent test results and passed details to the relevant card schemes so any site access cards obtained through the scam can also be withdrawn.

Christopher Simpson, head of CITB Standards Setting Body, said: “This is another excellent result following a complex and detailed investigation, and CITB is grateful to Essex Police for supporting this enquiry.

“Cheating and fraudulent behaviour is unacceptable, especially when it comes to safety critical exams and conditions, as that can put the lives of both construction workers and members of the public at risk.

“We are committed to making sure that colleagues and members of the public are kept safe, with an industry that they can rely on. CITB will be working with colleagues from CSCS Alliance Card schemes to ensure that fraudulent tests are revoked and that any cards that may have been obtained fraudulently are also withdrawn.”