0:00:02 > 0:00:06Welcome to a world where nothing is quite as it seems.
0:00:06 > 0:00:07Welcome to Fake Britain.
0:00:09 > 0:00:10Police!
0:00:20 > 0:00:22Get down! Get down! Get on the floor now!
0:00:22 > 0:00:24Put your hands behind your back now.
0:00:24 > 0:00:26Here at the Fake Britain house,
0:00:26 > 0:00:29we'll reveal the fakes that are flooding the market,
0:00:29 > 0:00:33conning people like you and me and making money for the criminals.
0:00:33 > 0:00:36We'll investigate the fraudsters who are selling us
0:00:36 > 0:00:40something that isn't real and could be dangerous.
0:00:40 > 0:00:43And we'll help you avoid falling for a fake.
0:00:43 > 0:00:46Today on Fake Britain:
0:00:46 > 0:00:47The fake clothing banks
0:00:47 > 0:00:50that are fleecing kind-hearted Brits.
0:00:50 > 0:00:53A fake bank is one that is depriving the poor
0:00:53 > 0:00:54and the needy throughout the globe.
0:00:54 > 0:00:57The fake identity cards that could lead to
0:00:57 > 0:00:59a construction site catastrophe.
0:00:59 > 0:01:04Fake cards are changing hands for between £300-£500.
0:01:04 > 0:01:07And the fake fancy dress costumes endangering lives
0:01:07 > 0:01:11- and harming British business. - It's a very cheap synthetic.
0:01:11 > 0:01:12Probably burns like the clappers.
0:01:19 > 0:01:23Giving away old clothes to charity can make a real difference.
0:01:23 > 0:01:27£100 million each year goes to worthy causes
0:01:27 > 0:01:30because the clothes we're happy to give away are valuable.
0:01:30 > 0:01:33But the fakers know that, too, and they're desperate
0:01:33 > 0:01:37to get their hands on the stuff we want to go to a charity.
0:01:37 > 0:01:41So, do you know where your gift of clothes could end up?
0:01:44 > 0:01:47We've all seen clothing banks like this.
0:01:47 > 0:01:50You'll find them on the high street or at an out-of-town
0:01:50 > 0:01:51shopping centre.
0:01:51 > 0:01:54In total, there are over 14,000 across the UK
0:01:54 > 0:01:59and more than half of the estimated 540,000 tonnes of clothing
0:01:59 > 0:02:02we recycle annually are collected through these banks.
0:02:03 > 0:02:05The clothing is then sold overseas.
0:02:05 > 0:02:08Ghana and Pakistan are two of the most popular destinations and the
0:02:08 > 0:02:13profits are used to fund charitable projects both here and abroad.
0:02:15 > 0:02:19Ravi Zutshi works at Planet Aid UK, a large not-for-profit
0:02:19 > 0:02:24organisation which owns nearly 1,500 clothing banks across the UK.
0:02:24 > 0:02:28The used textile business is massive.
0:02:28 > 0:02:31There are many, many thousands of tonnes of used clothes,
0:02:31 > 0:02:36used shoes collected every month from thousands of collection banks.
0:02:36 > 0:02:40And it's surprising how valuable our unwanted clothing is.
0:02:40 > 0:02:45We collect 120 tonnes of textiles each month
0:02:45 > 0:02:48and the value of that is approximately
0:02:48 > 0:02:50£600 to £700 per tonne.
0:02:52 > 0:02:55A large clothing bank on a busy site will typically be filled
0:02:55 > 0:02:58within a week, and the clothes donated in that time
0:02:58 > 0:02:59can be sold for £200.
0:02:59 > 0:03:03Over the course of a year, that's £10,000.
0:03:03 > 0:03:08Planet Aid manage the clothing banks sites for a number of local councils
0:03:08 > 0:03:12including seven locations here in Harlow, Essex.
0:03:12 > 0:03:15However, the property team at Harlow Council have received
0:03:15 > 0:03:19a report from a local shopkeeper about some mysterious clothing banks
0:03:19 > 0:03:22which have suddenly appeared overnight.
0:03:22 > 0:03:26Joe McGill from Harlow Council's property team believes
0:03:26 > 0:03:28these clothing banks are fake.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31As you can see, this is one of the fake clothing banks
0:03:31 > 0:03:33that we've identified in Harlow.
0:03:33 > 0:03:35There are six in total at present
0:03:35 > 0:03:39and we're looking to have them removed from the area.
0:03:39 > 0:03:43Joe and his team have been unable to find a registered charity
0:03:43 > 0:03:46using this exact slogan and logo design.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49Unlike other charities, where the council understands
0:03:49 > 0:03:52where all the clothing is going and the public know which charity
0:03:52 > 0:03:54they're contributing to,
0:03:54 > 0:03:56no-one knows where this clothing will end up.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02The fakers have used the Kids Go Green logo,
0:04:02 > 0:04:05not to be confused with any organisation using a similar name,
0:04:05 > 0:04:07on all six of the bins placed around Harlow.
0:04:08 > 0:04:12The council has taken action and issued notices, ordering
0:04:12 > 0:04:16the banks to be removed within three weeks, under the threat of seizure.
0:04:18 > 0:04:21But Joe's had a report that his notice has been
0:04:21 > 0:04:23removed from at least one of the banks.
0:04:23 > 0:04:26The bin's located behind the side wall in an alleyway,
0:04:26 > 0:04:30and just sat around the corner away from a CCTV camera.
0:04:31 > 0:04:34Joe's suspicions have been confirmed.
0:04:34 > 0:04:36The fakers have swiped the notice.
0:04:40 > 0:04:41There's another fake.
0:04:42 > 0:04:44And his next stop brings him
0:04:44 > 0:04:47to a busy thoroughfare, where the fake's been brazenly placed
0:04:47 > 0:04:50next to two genuine banks and is now causing a health hazard.
0:04:52 > 0:04:55This one, as you can see, is uncontrolled.
0:04:55 > 0:04:58They don't clear it up, they don't keep it tidy.
0:04:58 > 0:05:02We don't have any idea who actually owns this particular bin, either.
0:05:02 > 0:05:06It's got the same logo as the one in Sherards Hatch
0:05:06 > 0:05:08and all the other ones that have been placed in Harlow.
0:05:08 > 0:05:12As for the state of the site, Joe's going to have to get someone
0:05:12 > 0:05:16down here, creating further costs for a hard-pressed local council.
0:05:17 > 0:05:20Joe also picks up some useful information
0:05:20 > 0:05:22on when the banks are being emptied.
0:05:22 > 0:05:25Have you seen anybody coming up to the banks or anything?
0:05:25 > 0:05:27The vans turn up at around quarter to six, ten to six,
0:05:27 > 0:05:30when I'm out walking the dog in the morning.
0:05:30 > 0:05:33They'll come up, they'll empty the clothes bank,
0:05:33 > 0:05:35fill up their vans and go.
0:05:36 > 0:05:40But this problem stretches far beyond Harlow.
0:05:40 > 0:05:42Unfortunately, it's not the first time we've heard
0:05:42 > 0:05:43of fake clothing banks.
0:05:43 > 0:05:46We've heard reports of fake clothing banks over the years
0:05:46 > 0:05:48in many, many locations.
0:05:48 > 0:05:51Up in Scotland and then down in Yorkshire, we've had many reports
0:05:51 > 0:05:55in Warwickshire, and even in our home town of Corby.
0:05:55 > 0:06:00Back in Harlow, another fake clothing bank has been identified.
0:06:00 > 0:06:03This time, it's been placed on land owned by Tesco.
0:06:03 > 0:06:06However, the site is managed by one of the biggest
0:06:06 > 0:06:10charities in Britain - Oxfam. The charity have issued
0:06:10 > 0:06:12a notice of intent to seize the bank.
0:06:12 > 0:06:15But members of the public are still mistaking the fake bank
0:06:15 > 0:06:17for the real thing.
0:06:17 > 0:06:21I have to say it's very good because I would have put my stuff in there.
0:06:21 > 0:06:23I wouldn't have noticed any difference.
0:06:23 > 0:06:27Oxfam's Andrew Horton has come down to put a stop to this.
0:06:27 > 0:06:31The fake bank has been placed next to Oxfam's genuine banks.
0:06:31 > 0:06:37So, what are the signs the clothing bank you use is the real deal?
0:06:37 > 0:06:40Just take a second to look at the bank that's in front of you.
0:06:40 > 0:06:42It's got a recognised charity.
0:06:42 > 0:06:44If you've got doubts if it's a charity,
0:06:44 > 0:06:47look on the Charity Commission website when you get home.
0:06:47 > 0:06:49Make sure it's registered with them.
0:06:49 > 0:06:51Has it got the right, sort of, labels on, to warn you
0:06:51 > 0:06:55about what happens if you get into the bank or trap your finger?
0:06:55 > 0:06:58Has it got a number saying what the registered charity is?
0:06:58 > 0:07:00And if you've got any questions, give us a ring.
0:07:00 > 0:07:03Instead of the public giving goods to charity, which is
0:07:03 > 0:07:05what they want to do with their waste material,
0:07:05 > 0:07:08they're actually giving it into the pockets of whoever is operating this bin.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11So, we're going to do something about it today.
0:07:12 > 0:07:14But this fake won't be fooling anyone else.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17Oxfam have arranged for the bank to be seized.
0:07:19 > 0:07:23It's going to be taken to our site, where it will be held for another 14 days.
0:07:23 > 0:07:25So if the operator wants to come and collect their rogue bank,
0:07:25 > 0:07:29they're welcome to do so, but we might ask them a few difficult questions.
0:07:29 > 0:07:31We'll then open the bank, if they don't turn up,
0:07:31 > 0:07:35we'll sell the goods for Oxfam's charitable purpose and then
0:07:35 > 0:07:38we'll destroy the bank so it doesn't appear on a Tesco site again.
0:07:38 > 0:07:42Oxfam may have recovered the fake bank on their site
0:07:42 > 0:07:45but the day before Harlow Council are due to seize the fake banks
0:07:45 > 0:07:49on their sites, four of the six banks disappear.
0:07:50 > 0:07:52Joe McGill is not happy.
0:07:52 > 0:07:56Whoever is behind this deception in placing the fake clothing banks in Harlow,
0:07:56 > 0:07:59has little or no regard for the public of Harlow,
0:07:59 > 0:08:02nor do they have any regard for the money they're taking away
0:08:02 > 0:08:05from the charities and those charities who the council supports.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09For Ravi at Planet Aid, the real victims here are the vulnerable
0:08:09 > 0:08:13people who depend on the money raised by clothes donations.
0:08:15 > 0:08:17Every item of clothing,
0:08:17 > 0:08:21every kilo of clothing that goes into a fake bank, rather than
0:08:21 > 0:08:24in to a legitimate clothing collecting bank, is one
0:08:24 > 0:08:28that is depriving the poor and the needy throughout the globe.
0:08:33 > 0:08:36Fancy dress is fun and if you're a parent,
0:08:36 > 0:08:40no doubt at some stage, you've picked up an off-the-peg outfit
0:08:40 > 0:08:43for your kids. They can be fantastic. Look.
0:08:43 > 0:08:47Lots of little girls would love to be the princess at the party
0:08:47 > 0:08:48in this dress.
0:08:48 > 0:08:52But this dress isn't the one that dreams are made of.
0:08:52 > 0:08:54Quite the opposite, because it's a fake.
0:08:54 > 0:08:57Wearing it could put your child's life at risk.
0:09:00 > 0:09:04We spend over £250,000 every year on fancy dress.
0:09:04 > 0:09:07There's an incredible range of costumes available -
0:09:07 > 0:09:12pirates, nurses, historical characters, sailors,
0:09:12 > 0:09:15Disney princesses - even neon gorillas.
0:09:15 > 0:09:19Dressing up is a much-loved British pastime
0:09:19 > 0:09:22enjoyed across the country by children and the young at heart.
0:09:24 > 0:09:28But fakers know there are profits to be made from make-believe
0:09:28 > 0:09:32and now fake fancy dress costumes are flooding into the country.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37Jodie Frisby has two young daughters who love to dress up.
0:09:38 > 0:09:40Her youngest daughter, Katie-May,
0:09:40 > 0:09:44had her heart set on an Elsa dress from the hit Disney cartoon, Frozen.
0:09:45 > 0:09:47Every little girl wants something for Christmas
0:09:47 > 0:09:49and that was her main thing.
0:09:49 > 0:09:52I just wanted to make her happy, so I searched wherever I could really
0:09:52 > 0:09:57to get one that was, A, top quality and B, not massively expensive.
0:09:57 > 0:10:00Jodie went online and found a dress that she thought would be perfect.
0:10:01 > 0:10:05I was quite impressed with it for the price that I saw it for.
0:10:07 > 0:10:09Two weeks later, the package arrived.
0:10:09 > 0:10:13When it first arrived, I was here to get the post.
0:10:13 > 0:10:15I opened it up, I was squealing.
0:10:15 > 0:10:16I was so excited when I got it,
0:10:16 > 0:10:19because I knew Katie-May would love it.
0:10:19 > 0:10:21It looked top quality when it was all wrapped up, you know,
0:10:21 > 0:10:23I was really dead pleased with the dress.
0:10:23 > 0:10:27And Katie-May was delighted with her gift.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30Katie-May was really, really excited to see the dress.
0:10:30 > 0:10:32She screamed, she wanted it on there and then.
0:10:32 > 0:10:34So, we opened it up and put it on
0:10:34 > 0:10:36and she was quite happy dancing around the living room,
0:10:36 > 0:10:39doing her little Elsa poses, singing Let It Go.
0:10:39 > 0:10:41She was in her element.
0:10:41 > 0:10:44But it wasn't long before Jodie realised that Katie-May's new dress
0:10:44 > 0:10:47wasn't everything it claimed to be.
0:10:47 > 0:10:51Three hours later the dress started to fall apart at the seams.
0:10:51 > 0:10:53It started to come apart in two halves.
0:10:53 > 0:10:57It was the bottom half of the skirt, and the top half was like a T-shirt
0:10:57 > 0:10:59and the cape, it frayed pretty badly.
0:10:59 > 0:11:02It took a lot to get it sewn back together the first time it fell apart.
0:11:02 > 0:11:05It's fell apart twice more since then.
0:11:05 > 0:11:07It's been sewn up a couple of times, but the last time was,
0:11:07 > 0:11:09it was literally in two halves.
0:11:12 > 0:11:14Fake Britain sent the dress to Disney.
0:11:14 > 0:11:15They confirmed it was a fake.
0:11:18 > 0:11:21But the fakers aren't just targeting children's costumes.
0:11:21 > 0:11:23Adult fancy dress is also being faked
0:11:23 > 0:11:27and it's costing some British fancy dress companies millions.
0:11:27 > 0:11:29Morning, Tina.
0:11:29 > 0:11:32Ray Peckett is managing director at Smiffys,
0:11:32 > 0:11:35one of the UK's largest manufacturers of fancy dress.
0:11:37 > 0:11:39These costumes don't just suddenly appear.
0:11:39 > 0:11:43We employ 30-odd people who are just designing
0:11:43 > 0:11:45and getting the product to market.
0:11:45 > 0:11:50The counterfeiters and fakers just nip in, steal our product,
0:11:50 > 0:11:54make out that it's their product and do the job for nothing.
0:11:54 > 0:11:58They are jeopardising the jobs of our designers.
0:11:58 > 0:12:01We are one of the only people in the world that actually
0:12:01 > 0:12:04designs our costumes from scratch, and these people's jobs
0:12:04 > 0:12:08are being jeopardised because their work is being stolen.
0:12:08 > 0:12:11Desperate to safeguard his workers and his company,
0:12:11 > 0:12:14Ray has asked the authorities to act - and they have.
0:12:16 > 0:12:18Right, here is our latest seizure.
0:12:18 > 0:12:20One of the biggest to date.
0:12:20 > 0:12:22The pirate costume.
0:12:22 > 0:12:26These costumes are just part of a haul of 3,000 fakes.
0:12:26 > 0:12:30Copying on this scale is damaging the company's profitability.
0:12:30 > 0:12:33The turnover we figured that they are costing us
0:12:33 > 0:12:35is about 10% of our business.
0:12:35 > 0:12:38You are talking £6 million a year, year in year out.
0:12:40 > 0:12:42The fakers have attempted to reproduce every detail
0:12:42 > 0:12:45of the genuine product.
0:12:45 > 0:12:48So, we've got two pirate costumes here.
0:12:48 > 0:12:51On the right we have got the genuine Smiffy pirate and on the left,
0:12:51 > 0:12:54we have got the counterfeit.
0:12:54 > 0:12:56They've scanned our packaging.
0:12:56 > 0:12:59They've reproduced it identically to ours.
0:12:59 > 0:13:01The quality of printing is a little bit different
0:13:01 > 0:13:06but to the consumer, this one looks like a Smiffy product.
0:13:06 > 0:13:10The reason we know it's not originally was that the insert card,
0:13:10 > 0:13:13the packaging doesn't actually fit.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16But it's not just the packaging that's being faked.
0:13:17 > 0:13:19Not only have they copied the packaging,
0:13:19 > 0:13:23they've actually copied our sewing label and care instructions.
0:13:23 > 0:13:25So, there we go.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28To all intents and purposes, this is a Smiffy product.
0:13:30 > 0:13:33Ray decided to take matters into his own hands.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36To find out more but the criminals behind the fakery of his product
0:13:36 > 0:13:40one of his team travelled to China and posed as a businessman
0:13:40 > 0:13:43looking to buy counterfeit costumes.
0:13:43 > 0:13:47We actually were invited inside and here we are being shown
0:13:47 > 0:13:49the Disney dress.
0:13:49 > 0:13:52The entire showroom is filled with knock-offs,
0:13:52 > 0:13:55the whole thing is selling fakes, that is all they do.
0:13:55 > 0:13:58Those are the guys who run the factory.
0:13:58 > 0:14:01There's all the samples offered to us and, basically,
0:14:01 > 0:14:04we could have anybody's product in any packaging we liked.
0:14:04 > 0:14:06All they do is counterfeit.
0:14:07 > 0:14:10They mentioned they were having a bit of trouble with Smiffys,
0:14:10 > 0:14:12that Smiffys had been putting some pressure on them,
0:14:12 > 0:14:15so we are actually making some effect with these people.
0:14:16 > 0:14:21But the fakers were less than impressed by Ray's undercover work.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24They have an attitude that is appalling.
0:14:24 > 0:14:28They have actually threatened some of my staff.
0:14:28 > 0:14:31They've gone into gory details of what would happen to them
0:14:31 > 0:14:35and their parents if they continue pursuing them.
0:14:36 > 0:14:40The fakers have also targeted the children's costume market.
0:14:40 > 0:14:43This fake product is being sold online using the marketing image
0:14:43 > 0:14:45of a real Smiffys costume.
0:14:46 > 0:14:49The two products that you've got here,
0:14:49 > 0:14:52one is the genuine Smiffy product which has been tested
0:14:52 > 0:14:57for heavy metals, nasty dyes and things which are quite bad
0:14:57 > 0:15:01for the consumer, especially for kids to have.
0:15:01 > 0:15:05Here, having assumed they were getting this, what turns up is this.
0:15:07 > 0:15:09As well as the damage to his business,
0:15:09 > 0:15:13Ray's concerned about the safety of the fake children's costumes.
0:15:13 > 0:15:16OK, we've got the two costumes laid out here.
0:15:16 > 0:15:20What the consumer would have been expecting is this one here
0:15:20 > 0:15:22which is the Smiffy item.
0:15:22 > 0:15:26It comes with a mop cap, long sleeves, the apron attached
0:15:26 > 0:15:30and a nice collar with sleeves with frills on.
0:15:30 > 0:15:35What the knock-off fake item is actually like is a long T-shirt.
0:15:35 > 0:15:39It's got short sleeves and a roll neck collar.
0:15:39 > 0:15:42Well, it's another T-shirt probably made of...
0:15:42 > 0:15:47It's a very cheap synthetic, it probably burns like the clappers.
0:15:48 > 0:15:53Children's fancy dress clothes are not subject to flammability testing,
0:15:53 > 0:15:56although some retailers are insisting on safety standards
0:15:56 > 0:15:58for what they stock.
0:15:58 > 0:16:02The change came after TV presenter Claudia Winkleman
0:16:02 > 0:16:04led a campaign.
0:16:04 > 0:16:07Her daughter was badly burned in a Halloween costume.
0:16:07 > 0:16:10Responsible manufacturers like Smiffys have always ensured
0:16:10 > 0:16:12that their clothing is fire resistant.
0:16:12 > 0:16:16The concern is, the fakers are using cheap materials and dyes to maximise
0:16:16 > 0:16:21their profits, and these fake costumes could continue to be a fire hazard.
0:16:21 > 0:16:24Fake Britain decided to put this theory to the test.
0:16:26 > 0:16:30We asked fire safety officer Matthew Perrin to perform a test on
0:16:30 > 0:16:34a genuine Smiffys costume to see how it would compare with a fake one.
0:16:35 > 0:16:37He begins with a genuine costume.
0:16:37 > 0:16:41But getting the material to catch light is easier said than done.
0:16:43 > 0:16:46On the fourth attempt, the tunic finally catches fire.
0:16:46 > 0:16:50But it quickly and safely self extinguishes.
0:16:50 > 0:16:53This is how costumes made by responsible manufacturers
0:16:53 > 0:16:55should perform when they catch fire.
0:16:57 > 0:17:00Now, it's time to test the fake Smiffys costume.
0:17:00 > 0:17:04It catches fire immediately and burns violently for well over two minutes,
0:17:04 > 0:17:08possibly because the fakers have used cheaper materials and dyes.
0:17:10 > 0:17:12We wanted to know if this was a one-off.
0:17:12 > 0:17:15So, we decided to test a fake Frozen dress,
0:17:15 > 0:17:17seized by Nottingham Trading Standards.
0:17:17 > 0:17:24It's not long before the entire costume is engulfed by flames.
0:17:24 > 0:17:26This material is burning quite rapidly.
0:17:27 > 0:17:29Quite a large spread of fire across the material.
0:17:29 > 0:17:32We are also seeing these droplets coming off, as well.
0:17:32 > 0:17:36Matthew Perrin is concerned about the flammability of the material
0:17:36 > 0:17:37used in this fake dress.
0:17:37 > 0:17:40This has been burning for about three or four minutes now.
0:17:40 > 0:17:42As you can see, the material itself,
0:17:42 > 0:17:45rather than doing what it should do, and actually putting itself out,
0:17:45 > 0:17:48almost self-extinguishing, the material itself, as you see,
0:17:48 > 0:17:50is adding to the fire. It is almost fuelling the fire.
0:17:50 > 0:17:53We'd expect some serious burns to anyone wearing this.
0:17:56 > 0:17:59We showed footage of the test results to Jodie Frisby,
0:17:59 > 0:18:02who unwittingly purchased a fake dress online.
0:18:03 > 0:18:06Jodie is shocked by the dress' flammability.
0:18:06 > 0:18:08The way the back bit goes up, that is the most shocking bit.
0:18:08 > 0:18:11It started off at the front and now the whole back has just gone.
0:18:13 > 0:18:15I don't think she'll be wearing that dress again.
0:18:17 > 0:18:20Yeah, I'm really shocked that my little daughter has been
0:18:20 > 0:18:24exposed to any sort of danger by wearing a fancy dress costume.
0:18:24 > 0:18:27You don't think that a fancy dress costume is going to cause
0:18:27 > 0:18:28your daughter any harm.
0:18:34 > 0:18:37As well as the familiar passport or driving licence,
0:18:37 > 0:18:41we're all getting used to using lots of IDs, perhaps for work,
0:18:41 > 0:18:44the gym, events or, look, the railcard.
0:18:44 > 0:18:46But faking IDs is big criminal business,
0:18:46 > 0:18:50even the enforcement agencies whose task it is to crack down
0:18:50 > 0:18:56on the problem are surprised at what they discover the forgers are up to.
0:18:57 > 0:19:01Detective Carl Eade and his team at the National Crime Agency
0:19:01 > 0:19:05are at the forefront of cracking down on identity fraud.
0:19:05 > 0:19:08More specifically, the faking of identity cards.
0:19:08 > 0:19:11For three years, Carl and his team were on the trail of a prolific
0:19:11 > 0:19:14network of identity card forgers.
0:19:14 > 0:19:17The operation's been ongoing for some time.
0:19:17 > 0:19:20We've identified numerous cells producing
0:19:20 > 0:19:22and distributing these documents.
0:19:22 > 0:19:26Their painstaking detective work culminated in raids
0:19:26 > 0:19:31where they uncovered fake ID factories churning out passports,
0:19:31 > 0:19:35driving licences and other bogus identity documents in their thousands.
0:19:37 > 0:19:40It would normally be a room within someone's house
0:19:40 > 0:19:43or it may have been a flat specifically purchased for that purpose.
0:19:43 > 0:19:48It normally consists of a room with computers, monitors.
0:19:48 > 0:19:51You'll have various different types of printer,
0:19:51 > 0:19:55some quite standard, some quite specialist, like a card printer.
0:19:55 > 0:19:58The computers will be loaded with graphic software
0:19:58 > 0:20:01and photo imaging software.
0:20:01 > 0:20:02There'll be scanners.
0:20:02 > 0:20:06But from that room, they can create thousands of IDs.
0:20:09 > 0:20:12The NCA team recently identified this man,
0:20:12 > 0:20:16Medi Krasniqi, as a seller of fake identity cards.
0:20:16 > 0:20:20They knew he was operating around Turnpike Lane in north London.
0:20:21 > 0:20:24But to stop Krasniqi, they'd need to find the man
0:20:24 > 0:20:26who was forging the fake ID cards he was selling.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30That would lead them to the fake ID factory.
0:20:31 > 0:20:34The criminals were careful to disguise the handovers,
0:20:34 > 0:20:36making it hard to catch them in the act.
0:20:37 > 0:20:40These cards were often concealed.
0:20:40 > 0:20:43They were not handed directly over,
0:20:43 > 0:20:45they may be left on a shelf in a shop.
0:20:46 > 0:20:50But the NCA team were about to get their break.
0:20:50 > 0:20:53They followed Krasniqi, as he made his way across north London,
0:20:53 > 0:20:57eventually arriving at this fast food restaurant.
0:20:57 > 0:21:00Minutes later, the elusive forger of the fake IDs arrives
0:21:00 > 0:21:02and sits down next to him.
0:21:04 > 0:21:07Carl Eade's team were in position outside the building.
0:21:07 > 0:21:10All they needed to do now was patiently wait for the exchange
0:21:10 > 0:21:14of fake cards to happen between Krasniqi and the ID card forger.
0:21:16 > 0:21:17Krasniqi then stands.
0:21:17 > 0:21:21He picks up an empty tray from the same table.
0:21:21 > 0:21:26And in that small moment of the tray being picked up and moved,
0:21:26 > 0:21:30over 70 fake ID cards are handed over in an envelope
0:21:30 > 0:21:32and are placed in Krasniqi's back pocket.
0:21:33 > 0:21:37The moment both men leave, the NCA officers race to arrest them.
0:21:39 > 0:21:44Krasniqi was caught red-handed with the 70 fake ID cards.
0:21:44 > 0:21:46And when the team raided a property linked to his name,
0:21:46 > 0:21:50they found £12,000 in cash hidden behind the oven.
0:21:52 > 0:21:56At the flat belonging to the forger of the fake cards, Arsene Meci,
0:21:56 > 0:22:01the NCA discovered one of the fake ID factories they'd been searching for.
0:22:01 > 0:22:04Amongst the materials needed to create fake passports,
0:22:04 > 0:22:07driving licences and other ID documents,
0:22:07 > 0:22:11the officers found a type of card they'd never seen before.
0:22:12 > 0:22:14Initially, we were, I have to say,
0:22:14 > 0:22:18quite unaware of the requirement for the Construction Services cards.
0:22:18 > 0:22:21However, as we downloaded the databases,
0:22:21 > 0:22:24it was quite clear that this was a prominent area of their work.
0:22:24 > 0:22:28The forgers had realised that ID cards are now mandatory
0:22:28 > 0:22:32on the vast majority of construction sites across the country.
0:22:32 > 0:22:34They'd been selling fake ID cards to construction workers
0:22:34 > 0:22:36in their thousands.
0:22:37 > 0:22:40This is one of the Construction Skill Certification Scheme cards
0:22:40 > 0:22:42that were seized.
0:22:42 > 0:22:44This is a fake card which states that this gentleman
0:22:44 > 0:22:48as a construction site operative,
0:22:48 > 0:22:51and that he's accredited to work on construction sites.
0:22:51 > 0:22:55Basic construction identity cards were sold for as little as £50.
0:22:55 > 0:22:59But other, more specialist fakes, like this one can be sold for 500.
0:23:01 > 0:23:04This, again, another plastic card that's been created.
0:23:04 > 0:23:07Again, it will have been layered on the computer.
0:23:07 > 0:23:12This one is for Engineering Services Skills Card, which states
0:23:12 > 0:23:14the registered holder of this card holds
0:23:14 > 0:23:17the construction qualifications listed on the reverse.
0:23:17 > 0:23:21On there, it states he's specialist in ductwork erector
0:23:21 > 0:23:23and ductwork installer.
0:23:24 > 0:23:28Meci and Krasniqi eventually pleaded guilty to all charges.
0:23:28 > 0:23:31They were sentenced to six and a half years
0:23:31 > 0:23:33and five and a half years in prison respectively.
0:23:33 > 0:23:36Meci will be deported to his native Albania
0:23:36 > 0:23:38on the completion of his sentence.
0:23:41 > 0:23:44Many of the fake construction ID cards for which Meci and Krasniqi
0:23:44 > 0:23:49were responsible carried the logo CSCS.
0:23:49 > 0:23:52And that stands for Construction Skills Certification Scheme.
0:23:54 > 0:23:59It's the largest of the identity card schemes and Graham Wren is the CEO.
0:24:01 > 0:24:03For a supervisor or a site manager,
0:24:03 > 0:24:06the card is a really valuable tool in confirming the individual's
0:24:06 > 0:24:10identity, in confirming the qualifications they hold.
0:24:11 > 0:24:15Fake identity cards can allow workers to operate dangerous equipment
0:24:15 > 0:24:17without having had to pay for any training.
0:24:17 > 0:24:21Fake Britain asked CSCS to investigate the scale of the problem,
0:24:21 > 0:24:25so they ran a survey of construction site managers.
0:24:25 > 0:24:29The results showed fake cards were being used on one in five sites.
0:24:29 > 0:24:32But the authorities are fighting back.
0:24:32 > 0:24:35The Construction Industry Training Board has been tasked with
0:24:35 > 0:24:38tracking down the people using fake cards.
0:24:39 > 0:24:43Investigative officer Ian Sidney is the first port of call
0:24:43 > 0:24:45when a fake card is discovered.
0:24:45 > 0:24:48We have uncovered quite a black market for fake cards
0:24:48 > 0:24:50in the construction industry,
0:24:50 > 0:24:54especially for some of the plant cards we found, which again,
0:24:54 > 0:24:57we know are changing hands for between £300 and £500.
0:24:57 > 0:25:01Ian has just discovered that a construction worker using
0:25:01 > 0:25:04a fake identity card has caused an accident.
0:25:06 > 0:25:09We've received a complaint from a health and safety advisor
0:25:09 > 0:25:11for a construction company, following an incident
0:25:11 > 0:25:15on one of their construction sites involving a forward tipping dumper
0:25:15 > 0:25:17being involved in an accident.
0:25:17 > 0:25:20As a result of the accident, they have checked on the card
0:25:20 > 0:25:23held by the driver and it would appear that the card he'd produced
0:25:23 > 0:25:26to them when he arrived on site was a fake card.
0:25:26 > 0:25:27Luckily, there was nobody injured
0:25:27 > 0:25:30but there was some damage caused to property on the site.
0:25:30 > 0:25:33Ian needs to track down the man who's been using the fake card
0:25:33 > 0:25:36before he can cause any more damage.
0:25:36 > 0:25:39What we'll do this morning is we'll obviously attend his address,
0:25:39 > 0:25:44hopefully he'll be there and we can then try and recover the fake card.
0:25:44 > 0:25:45But we have no powers of arrest,
0:25:45 > 0:25:49so we use the local police to use their powers of arrest.
0:25:49 > 0:25:51If we then need to search the premises for evidence,
0:25:51 > 0:25:55they will use their powers to search his address and also to detain him.
0:25:59 > 0:26:03The team arrives at the address, but the suspect isn't there.
0:26:04 > 0:26:07- Is there anybody by that name who lives here?- No.
0:26:07 > 0:26:09No. No.
0:26:09 > 0:26:13Clearly, it's quite common that subjects will give false addresses,
0:26:13 > 0:26:16false dates of birth and even false names, especially
0:26:16 > 0:26:19if they're here as migrant workers with no rights to work.
0:26:19 > 0:26:22So it's quite a common thing that we do come across quite regularly.
0:26:22 > 0:26:25So the team calls the number on the fake card.
0:26:25 > 0:26:28I just need for you to confirm your address,
0:26:28 > 0:26:30- because the address we've got on file is- BLEEP.
0:26:30 > 0:26:33- And you're not living at- BLEEP.- You was there?
0:26:33 > 0:26:36The lady says you don't live there, but you're now telling me
0:26:36 > 0:26:40that she's called you and told you that we've been with the police?
0:26:40 > 0:26:44The suspect eventually provides the team with a second address.
0:26:44 > 0:26:45You're at that address now?
0:26:45 > 0:26:48OK. OK. All right. Well, thank you very much for your help.
0:26:48 > 0:26:50I'll see you shortly.
0:26:54 > 0:26:57Ian and the police arrive at the second address
0:26:57 > 0:27:00and finally the suspect comes out to meet them.
0:27:00 > 0:27:02We're from the Construction Industry Training Board.
0:27:02 > 0:27:04We're fraud investigators. OK?
0:27:04 > 0:27:07And we're looking to speak to you about a previous card
0:27:07 > 0:27:10that was issued to you, a CPCS card. OK?
0:27:10 > 0:27:12This one is a card that was issued to you which you
0:27:12 > 0:27:15- used on a building site. - I keep it.- OK.
0:27:15 > 0:27:18This card, we believe, is a fraudulent card.
0:27:18 > 0:27:22The suspect is arrested and handcuffed. His wallet is searched.
0:27:24 > 0:27:25And they find the fake card.
0:27:27 > 0:27:30This is the fake card. As you can see, it's got his picture on.
0:27:30 > 0:27:33This is for a forward tipping dumper and a ride-on roller.
0:27:33 > 0:27:36It's a good result. We've got the fake card.
0:27:36 > 0:27:40The suspect's taken to the local police station for interview.
0:27:42 > 0:27:45An hour later, Ian gets an update from the custody sergeant.
0:27:45 > 0:27:48Our subject's now been interviewed, formally admitted his involvement
0:27:48 > 0:27:51in the offence and how he came to have possession of the fake cards.
0:27:51 > 0:27:54As he had no previous convictions, he's been formally cautioned for the
0:27:54 > 0:27:58offence by the police and that's an end to the criminal investigation.
0:27:59 > 0:28:02But cases like this are putting the construction industry
0:28:02 > 0:28:04under greater scrutiny.
0:28:04 > 0:28:07It's fakery that could ultimately lead to a serious accident.
0:28:15 > 0:28:18That's all from Fake Britain. Goodbye.