Episode 10

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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 > 0:00:50The fake clothing banks that 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 > 0:01:02Fake cards are changing hands for between £300-£500.

0:01:02 > 0:01:06And the fake steam mop that could give you a real shock.

0:01:07 > 0:01:10It will short out components, electric shock, fire risk,

0:01:10 > 0:01:11explosion risk.

0:01:18 > 0:01:22Giving away old clothes to charity can make a real difference.

0:01:22 > 0:01:26£100 million each year goes to worthy causes

0:01:26 > 0:01:29because the clothes we're happy to give away are valuable.

0:01:29 > 0:01:32But the fakers know that too and they're desperate to

0:01:32 > 0:01:36get their hands on the stuff we want to go to a charity.

0:01:36 > 0:01:40So, do you know where your gift of clothes could end up?

0:01:43 > 0:01:46We've all seen clothing banks like this.

0:01:46 > 0:01:50You'll find them on the high street or at an out-of-town shopping centre.

0:01:50 > 0:01:53In total, there are over 14,000 across the UK

0:01:53 > 0:01:58and more than half of the estimated 540,000 tonnes of clothing

0:01:58 > 0:02:01we recycle annually are collected through these banks.

0:02:02 > 0:02:04The clothing is then sold overseas.

0:02:04 > 0:02:08Ghana and Pakistan are two of the most popular destinations and the

0:02:08 > 0:02:12profits are used to fund charitable projects both here and abroad.

0:02:14 > 0:02:18Ravi Zutshi works at Planet Aid UK, a large not-for-profit

0:02:18 > 0:02:23organisation which owns nearly 1,500 clothing banks across the UK.

0:02:23 > 0:02:27The used textile business is massive.

0:02:27 > 0:02:30There are many, many thousands of tonnes of used clothes,

0:02:30 > 0:02:35used shoes collected every month from thousands of collection banks.

0:02:35 > 0:02:39And it's surprising how valuable our unwanted clothing is.

0:02:39 > 0:02:44We collect 120 tonnes of textiles each month

0:02:44 > 0:02:47and the value of that is approximately

0:02:47 > 0:02:49£600 to £700 per tonne.

0:02:51 > 0:02:54A large clothing bank on a busy site will typically be filled

0:02:54 > 0:02:57within a week, and the clothes donated in that time

0:02:57 > 0:02:58can be sold for £200.

0:02:58 > 0:03:03Over the course of a year, that's £10,000.

0:03:03 > 0:03:07Planet Aid manage the clothing banks sites for a number of local councils

0:03:07 > 0:03:11including seven locations here in Harlow, Essex.

0:03:11 > 0:03:14However, the property team at Harlow Council have received

0:03:14 > 0:03:18a report from a local shopkeeper about some mysterious clothing banks

0:03:18 > 0:03:21which have suddenly appeared overnight.

0:03:21 > 0:03:25Joe McGill from Harlow Council's property team believes

0:03:25 > 0:03:27these clothing banks are fake.

0:03:27 > 0:03:30As you can see, this is one of the fake clothing banks

0:03:30 > 0:03:32that we've identified in Harlow.

0:03:32 > 0:03:34There are six in total at present

0:03:34 > 0:03:38and we're looking to have them removed from the area.

0:03:38 > 0:03:42Joe and his team have been unable to find a registered charity

0:03:42 > 0:03:45using this exact slogan and logo design.

0:03:45 > 0:03:48Unlike other charities, where the council understands

0:03:48 > 0:03:51where all the clothing is going and the public know which charity

0:03:51 > 0:03:55they're contributing to, no-one knows where this clothing will end up.

0:03:58 > 0:04:01The fakers have used the Kids Go Green logo,

0:04:01 > 0:04:04not to be confused with any organisation using a similar name,

0:04:04 > 0:04:06on all six of the bins placed around Harlow.

0:04:08 > 0:04:11The council has taken action and issued notices, ordering

0:04:11 > 0:04:15the banks to be removed within three weeks under the threat of seizure.

0:04:17 > 0:04:20But Joe's had a report that his notice has been

0:04:20 > 0:04:22removed from at least one of the banks.

0:04:22 > 0:04:25The bin's located behind the side wall in an alleyway,

0:04:25 > 0:04:29and just sat around the corner away from a CCTV camera.

0:04:31 > 0:04:35Joe's suspicions have been confirmed. The fakers have swiped the notice.

0:04:39 > 0:04:40There's another fake.

0:04:41 > 0:04:43And his next stop brings him

0:04:43 > 0:04:46to a busy thoroughfare where the fake's been brazenly placed

0:04:46 > 0:04:49next to two genuine banks and is now causing a health hazard.

0:04:51 > 0:04:54This one, as you can see, is uncontrolled.

0:04:54 > 0:04:57They don't clear it up, they don't keep it tidy.

0:04:57 > 0:05:01We don't have any idea who actually owns this particular bin either.

0:05:01 > 0:05:05It's got the same logo as the one in Sherards Hatch

0:05:05 > 0:05:07and all the other ones that have been placed in Harlow.

0:05:07 > 0:05:11As for the state of the site, Joe's going to have to get someone

0:05:11 > 0:05:15down here, creating further costs for a hard-pressed local council.

0:05:16 > 0:05:19Joe also picks up some useful information

0:05:19 > 0:05:21on when the banks are being emptied.

0:05:21 > 0:05:24Have you seen anybody coming up to the banks or anything?

0:05:24 > 0:05:26The vans turn up at around quarter to six, ten to six,

0:05:26 > 0:05:29when I'm out walking the dog in the morning.

0:05:29 > 0:05:32They'll come up, they'll empty the clothes bank,

0:05:32 > 0:05:34fill up their vans and go.

0:05:35 > 0:05:39But this problem stretches far beyond Harlow.

0:05:39 > 0:05:42Unfortunately, it's not the first time we've heard of fake clothing banks.

0:05:42 > 0:05:45We've heard reports of fake clothing banks over the years

0:05:45 > 0:05:47in many, many locations.

0:05:47 > 0:05:50Up in Scotland and then down in Yorkshire, we've had many reports

0:05:50 > 0:05:54in Warwickshire, and even in our home town of Corby.

0:05:54 > 0:05:59Back in Harlow, another fake clothing bank has been identified.

0:05:59 > 0:06:02This time, it's been placed on land owned by Tesco.

0:06:02 > 0:06:05However, the site is managed by one of the biggest

0:06:05 > 0:06:07charities in Britain - Oxfam.

0:06:07 > 0:06:11The charity have issued a notice of intent to seize the bank.

0:06:11 > 0:06:14But members of the public are still mistaking the fake bank

0:06:14 > 0:06:16for the real thing.

0:06:16 > 0:06:20I have to say it's very good because I would have put my stuff in there.

0:06:20 > 0:06:22I wouldn't have noticed any difference.

0:06:22 > 0:06:26Oxfam's Andrew Horton has come down to put a stop to this.

0:06:26 > 0:06:30The fake bank has been placed next to Oxfam's genuine banks.

0:06:30 > 0:06:36So, what are the signs the clothing bank you use is the real deal?

0:06:36 > 0:06:39Just take a second to look at the bank that's in front of you.

0:06:39 > 0:06:41It's got a recognised charity.

0:06:41 > 0:06:43If you've got doubts if it's a charity,

0:06:43 > 0:06:46look on the Charity Commission website when you get home.

0:06:46 > 0:06:48Make sure it's registered with them.

0:06:48 > 0:06:51Has it got the right, sort of, labels on to warn you

0:06:51 > 0:06:54about what happens if you get into the bank or trap your finger?

0:06:54 > 0:06:57Has it got a number saying what the registered charity is?

0:06:57 > 0:06:59And if you've got any questions, give us a ring.

0:06:59 > 0:07:02Instead of the public giving goods to charity, which is

0:07:02 > 0:07:04what they want to do with their waste material,

0:07:04 > 0:07:08they're actually giving it into the pockets of whoever is operating this bin.

0:07:08 > 0:07:10So, we're going to do something about it today.

0:07:11 > 0:07:13But this fake won't be fooling anyone else.

0:07:13 > 0:07:16Oxfam have arranged for the bank to be seized.

0:07:18 > 0:07:22It's going to be taken to our site where it will be held for another 14 days.

0:07:22 > 0:07:24So if the operator wants to come and collect their rogue bank,

0:07:24 > 0:07:28they're welcome to do so but we might ask them a few difficult questions.

0:07:28 > 0:07:30We'll then open the bank, if they don't turn up,

0:07:30 > 0:07:34we'll sell the goods for Oxfam's charitable purpose and then

0:07:34 > 0:07:37we'll destroy the bank so it doesn't appear on a Tesco site again.

0:07:37 > 0:07:41Oxfam may have recovered the fake bank on their site

0:07:41 > 0:07:44but the day before Harlow Council are due to seize the fake banks

0:07:44 > 0:07:48on their sites, four of the six banks disappear.

0:07:49 > 0:07:51Joe McGill is not happy.

0:07:51 > 0:07:55Whoever is behind this deception in placing the fake clothing banks in Harlow,

0:07:55 > 0:07:58has little or no regard for the public of Harlow,

0:07:58 > 0:08:01nor do they have any regard for the money they're taking away

0:08:01 > 0:08:04from the charities and those charities who the council supports.

0:08:05 > 0:08:08For Ravi at Planet Aid, the real victims here are the vulnerable

0:08:08 > 0:08:12people who depend on the money raised by clothes donations.

0:08:14 > 0:08:16Every item of clothing,

0:08:16 > 0:08:20every kilo of clothing that goes into a fake bank rather than

0:08:20 > 0:08:23in to a legitimate clothing collecting bank, is one

0:08:23 > 0:08:27that is depriving the poor and the needy throughout the globe.

0:08:32 > 0:08:35Fancy dress is fun and if you're a parent,

0:08:35 > 0:08:40no doubt at some stage, you've picked an off-the-peg outfit for your kids.

0:08:40 > 0:08:42They can be fantastic. Look.

0:08:42 > 0:08:46Lots of little girls would love to be the princess at the party

0:08:46 > 0:08:47in this dress.

0:08:47 > 0:08:51But this dress isn't the one that dreams are made of.

0:08:51 > 0:08:53Quite the opposite, because it's a fake.

0:08:53 > 0:08:57Wearing it could put your child's life at risk.

0:08:59 > 0:09:03We spend over £250,000 every year on fancy dress.

0:09:03 > 0:09:06There's an incredible range of costumes available -

0:09:06 > 0:09:11pirates, nurses, historical characters, sailors,

0:09:11 > 0:09:14Disney princesses - even neon gorillas.

0:09:14 > 0:09:18Dressing up is a much-loved British pastime

0:09:18 > 0:09:21enjoyed across the country by children and the young at heart.

0:09:23 > 0:09:27But the fakers know there are profits to be made from make believe,

0:09:27 > 0:09:31and now fake fancy dress costumes are flooding into the country.

0:09:33 > 0:09:36Jodie Frisby has two young daughters who love to dress up.

0:09:37 > 0:09:39Her youngest daughter, Katie-May,

0:09:39 > 0:09:43had her heart set on an Elsa dress from the hit Disney cartoon, Frozen.

0:09:44 > 0:09:46Every little girl wants something for Christmas

0:09:46 > 0:09:48and that was her main thing.

0:09:48 > 0:09:51I just wanted to make her happy so I searched wherever I could really

0:09:51 > 0:09:56to get one that was, A, top quality and B, not massively expensive.

0:09:56 > 0:09:59Jodie went online and found a dress that she thought would be perfect.

0:10:00 > 0:10:04I was quite impressed with it for the price that I saw it for.

0:10:07 > 0:10:08Two weeks later, the package arrived.

0:10:08 > 0:10:12When it first arrived, I was here to get the post.

0:10:12 > 0:10:14I opened it up, I was squealing.

0:10:14 > 0:10:16I was so excited when I got it

0:10:16 > 0:10:18because I knew Katie-May would love it.

0:10:18 > 0:10:20It looked top quality when it was all wrapped up, you know,

0:10:20 > 0:10:22I was really dead pleased with the dress.

0:10:22 > 0:10:26And Katie-May was delighted with her gift.

0:10:26 > 0:10:29Katie-May was really, really excited to see the dress.

0:10:29 > 0:10:31She screamed, she wanted it on there and then.

0:10:31 > 0:10:33So, we opened it up and put it on

0:10:33 > 0:10:36and she was quite happy dancing around the living room,

0:10:36 > 0:10:38doing her little Elsa poses, singing Let It Go.

0:10:38 > 0:10:40She was in her element.

0:10:40 > 0:10:43But it wasn't long before Jodie realised that Katie-May's new dress

0:10:43 > 0:10:46wasn't everything it claimed to be.

0:10:46 > 0:10:50Three hours later the dress started to fall apart at the seams.

0:10:50 > 0:10:52It started to come apart in two halves.

0:10:52 > 0:10:56It was the bottom half of the skirt, and the top half was like a T-shirt

0:10:56 > 0:10:58and the cape, it frayed pretty badly.

0:10:58 > 0:11:01It took a lot to get it sewn back together the first time it fell apart.

0:11:01 > 0:11:04It's fell apart twice more since then.

0:11:04 > 0:11:07It's been sewn up a couple of times but the last time was,

0:11:07 > 0:11:08it is literally in two halves.

0:11:11 > 0:11:14Fake Britain sent the dress to Disney. They confirmed it was a fake.

0:11:17 > 0:11:20But the fakers aren't just targeting children's costumes.

0:11:20 > 0:11:22Adult fancy dress is also being faked

0:11:22 > 0:11:26and it's costing some British fancy dress companies millions.

0:11:26 > 0:11:28Morning, Tina.

0:11:28 > 0:11:31Ray Peckett is managing director at Smiffys,

0:11:31 > 0:11:34one of the UK's largest manufacturers of fancy dress.

0:11:36 > 0:11:38These costumes don't just suddenly appear.

0:11:38 > 0:11:42We employ 30-odd people who are just designing

0:11:42 > 0:11:44and getting the product to market.

0:11:44 > 0:11:49The counterfeiters and fakers just nip in, steal our product,

0:11:49 > 0:11:53make out that it's their product and do the job for nothing.

0:11:53 > 0:11:57They are jeopardising the jobs of our designers.

0:11:57 > 0:12:00We are one of the only people in the world that actually

0:12:00 > 0:12:03designs our costumes from scratch, and these people's jobs

0:12:03 > 0:12:07are being jeopardised because their work is being stolen.

0:12:07 > 0:12:10Desperate to safeguard his workers and his company,

0:12:10 > 0:12:13Ray has asked the authorities to act, and they have.

0:12:15 > 0:12:17Right, here is our latest seizure.

0:12:17 > 0:12:19One of the biggest to date.

0:12:19 > 0:12:21The pirate costume.

0:12:21 > 0:12:25These costumes are just part of a haul of 3,000 fakes.

0:12:25 > 0:12:29Copying on this scale is damaging the company's profitability.

0:12:29 > 0:12:32The turnover we figured that they are costing us

0:12:32 > 0:12:34is about 10% of our business.

0:12:34 > 0:12:38You are talking £6 million a year, year in year out.

0:12:39 > 0:12:41The fakers have attempted to reproduce every detail

0:12:41 > 0:12:44of the genuine product.

0:12:44 > 0:12:47So we've got two pirate costumes here.

0:12:47 > 0:12:50On the right we have got the genuine Smiffy pirate and on the left,

0:12:50 > 0:12:53we have got the counterfeit.

0:12:53 > 0:12:55They've scanned our packaging.

0:12:55 > 0:12:58They've reproduced it identically to ours.

0:12:58 > 0:13:00The quality of printing is a little bit different

0:13:00 > 0:13:05but to the consumer, this one looks like a Smiffy product.

0:13:05 > 0:13:09The reason we know it's not originally was that the insert card,

0:13:09 > 0:13:12the packaging doesn't actually fit.

0:13:12 > 0:13:15But it's not just the packaging that's being faked.

0:13:16 > 0:13:18Not only have they copied the packaging,

0:13:18 > 0:13:22they've actually copied our sewing label and care instructions.

0:13:22 > 0:13:24So there we go.

0:13:24 > 0:13:27To all intents and purposes, this is a Smiffy product.

0:13:29 > 0:13:32Ray decided to take matters into his own hands.

0:13:32 > 0:13:35To find out more but the criminals behind the fakery of his product

0:13:35 > 0:13:39one of his team travelled to China and posed as a businessman

0:13:39 > 0:13:42looking to buy counterfeit costumes.

0:13:42 > 0:13:46We actually were invited inside and here we are being shown

0:13:46 > 0:13:48the Disney dress.

0:13:48 > 0:13:51The entire showroom is filled with knock-offs,

0:13:51 > 0:13:54the whole thing is selling fakes, that is all they do.

0:13:54 > 0:13:57Those are the guys who run the factory.

0:13:57 > 0:14:00There's all the samples offered to us, and basically

0:14:00 > 0:14:03we could have anybody's product in any packaging we liked.

0:14:03 > 0:14:05All they do is counterfeit.

0:14:06 > 0:14:09They mentioned they were having a bit of trouble with Smiffys,

0:14:09 > 0:14:12that Smiffys had been putting some pressure on them

0:14:12 > 0:14:14so we are actually making some effect with these people.

0:14:15 > 0:14:20But the fakers were less than impressed by Ray's undercover work.

0:14:20 > 0:14:23They have an attitude that is appalling.

0:14:23 > 0:14:27They have actually threatened some of my staff.

0:14:27 > 0:14:30They've gone into gory details of what would happen to them

0:14:30 > 0:14:34and their parents if they continue pursuing them.

0:14:35 > 0:14:39The fakers have also targeted the children's costume market.

0:14:39 > 0:14:42This fake product is being sold online using the marketing image

0:14:42 > 0:14:44of a real Smiffys costume.

0:14:45 > 0:14:48The two products that you've got here,

0:14:48 > 0:14:51one is the genuine Smiffy product which has been tested

0:14:51 > 0:14:56for heavy metals, nasty dyes and things which are quite bad

0:14:56 > 0:15:00for the consumer, especially for kids to have.

0:15:00 > 0:15:04Here, having assumed they were getting this, what turns up is this.

0:15:06 > 0:15:08As well as the damage to his business,

0:15:08 > 0:15:12Ray's concerned about the safety of the fake children's costumes.

0:15:12 > 0:15:15OK, we've got the two costumes laid out here.

0:15:15 > 0:15:19What the consumer would have been expecting is this one here

0:15:19 > 0:15:21which is the Smiffy item.

0:15:21 > 0:15:25It comes with a mop cap, long sleeves, the apron attached

0:15:25 > 0:15:29and a nice collar with sleeves with frills on.

0:15:29 > 0:15:34What the knock-off fake item is actually like is a long T-shirt.

0:15:34 > 0:15:38It's got short sleeves and a roll neck collar.

0:15:38 > 0:15:41Well, it's another T-shirt probably made of...

0:15:41 > 0:15:46It's a very cheap synthetic, it probably burns like the clappers.

0:15:47 > 0:15:52Children's fancy dress clothes are not subject to flammability testing,

0:15:52 > 0:15:55although some retailers are insisting on safety standards

0:15:55 > 0:15:58for what they stock.

0:15:58 > 0:16:01The change came after TV presenter Claudia Winkleman

0:16:01 > 0:16:03led a campaign.

0:16:03 > 0:16:06Her daughter was badly burned in a Halloween costume.

0:16:06 > 0:16:09Responsible manufacturers like Smiffys have always ensured

0:16:09 > 0:16:11that their clothing is fire resistant.

0:16:11 > 0:16:16The concern is, the fakers are using cheap materials and dyes to maximise

0:16:16 > 0:16:20their profits, and these fake costumes could continue to be a fire hazard.

0:16:20 > 0:16:23Fake Britain decided to put this theory to the test.

0:16:25 > 0:16:29We asked fire safety officer Matthew Perrin to perform a test on

0:16:29 > 0:16:33a genuine Smiffys costume to see how it would compare with a fake one.

0:16:34 > 0:16:37He begins with a genuine costume.

0:16:37 > 0:16:40But getting the material to catch light is easier said than done.

0:16:42 > 0:16:45On the fourth attempt, the tunic finally catches fire.

0:16:45 > 0:16:49But it quickly and safely self extinguishes.

0:16:49 > 0:16:52This is how costumes made by responsible manufacturers

0:16:52 > 0:16:54should perform when they catch fire.

0:16:56 > 0:16:59Now, it's time to test the fake Smiffys costume.

0:16:59 > 0:17:03It catches fire immediately and burns violently for well over two minutes,

0:17:03 > 0:17:07possibly because the fakers have used cheaper materials and dyes.

0:17:09 > 0:17:11We wanted to know if this was a one-off.

0:17:11 > 0:17:14So, we decided to test a fake Frozen dress,

0:17:14 > 0:17:16seized by Nottingham Trading Standards.

0:17:16 > 0:17:20It's not long before the entire costume is engulfed by flames.

0:17:22 > 0:17:24The material's obviously adding to the fire itself.

0:17:24 > 0:17:26The fire is spreading through the material

0:17:26 > 0:17:28right up the back of the dress.

0:17:28 > 0:17:31Matthew Perrin is concerned about the flammability of the material

0:17:31 > 0:17:33used in this fake dress.

0:17:35 > 0:17:38We showed footage of the test results to Jodie Frisby,

0:17:38 > 0:17:42who unwittingly purchased a fake dress online.

0:17:42 > 0:17:45Jodie is shocked by the dress' flammability.

0:17:45 > 0:17:47The way the back bit goes up, that is the most shocking bit.

0:17:47 > 0:17:51It started off at the front and now the whole back has just gone.

0:17:52 > 0:17:54I don't think she'll be wearing that dress again.

0:17:56 > 0:17:59Yeah, I'm really shocked that my little daughter has been

0:17:59 > 0:18:03exposed to any sort of danger by wearing a fancy dress costume.

0:18:03 > 0:18:06You don't think that a fancy dress costume is going to cause

0:18:06 > 0:18:08your daughter any harm.

0:18:13 > 0:18:16As well as the familiar passport or driving licence,

0:18:16 > 0:18:20we're all getting used to using lots of IDs, perhaps for work,

0:18:20 > 0:18:23the gym, events or, look, the railcard.

0:18:23 > 0:18:26But faking IDs is big criminal business,

0:18:26 > 0:18:30even the enforcement agencies whose task it is to crack down

0:18:30 > 0:18:35on the problem are surprised at what they discover the forgers are up to.

0:18:37 > 0:18:41Detective Carl Eade and his team at the National Crime Agency

0:18:41 > 0:18:44are at the forefront of cracking down on identity fraud.

0:18:44 > 0:18:47More specifically, the faking of identity cards.

0:18:47 > 0:18:50For three years, Carl and his team were on the trail of a prolific

0:18:50 > 0:18:53network of identity card forgers.

0:18:53 > 0:18:57The operation's been ongoing for some time.

0:18:57 > 0:18:59We've identified numerous cells producing

0:18:59 > 0:19:02and distributing these documents.

0:19:02 > 0:19:06Their painstaking detective work culminated in raids

0:19:06 > 0:19:10where they uncovered fake ID factories churning out passports,

0:19:10 > 0:19:14driving licences and other bogus identity documents in their thousands.

0:19:17 > 0:19:19It would normally be a room within someone's house

0:19:19 > 0:19:22or it may have been a flat specifically purchased for that purpose.

0:19:22 > 0:19:27It normally consists of a room with computers, monitors.

0:19:27 > 0:19:30You'll have various different types of printer,

0:19:30 > 0:19:34some quite standard, some quite specialist, like a card printer.

0:19:34 > 0:19:37The computers will be loaded with graphic software

0:19:37 > 0:19:40and photo imaging software.

0:19:40 > 0:19:42There'll be scanners.

0:19:42 > 0:19:45But from that room, they can create thousands of IDs.

0:19:48 > 0:19:51The NCA team recently identified this man,

0:19:51 > 0:19:55Medi Krasniqi, as a seller of fake identity cards.

0:19:55 > 0:19:59They knew he was operating around Turnpike Lane in north London.

0:20:01 > 0:20:03But to stop Krasniqi, they'd need to find the man

0:20:03 > 0:20:05who was forging the fake ID cards he was selling.

0:20:07 > 0:20:09That would lead them to the fake ID factory.

0:20:11 > 0:20:13The criminals were careful to disguise the handovers,

0:20:13 > 0:20:15making it hard to catch them in the act.

0:20:17 > 0:20:20These cards were often concealed.

0:20:20 > 0:20:22They were not handed directly over,

0:20:22 > 0:20:24they may be left on a shelf in a shop.

0:20:25 > 0:20:29But the NCA team were about to get their break.

0:20:29 > 0:20:33They followed Krasniqi as he made his way across north London,

0:20:33 > 0:20:36eventually arriving at this fast food restaurant.

0:20:36 > 0:20:39Minutes later, the elusive forger of the fake IDs arrives

0:20:39 > 0:20:41and sits down next to him.

0:20:43 > 0:20:46Carl Eade's team were in position outside the building.

0:20:46 > 0:20:49All they needed to do now was patiently wait for the exchange

0:20:49 > 0:20:54of fake cards to happen between Krasniqi and the ID card forger.

0:20:55 > 0:20:56Krasniqi then stands.

0:20:56 > 0:21:00He picks up an empty tray from the same table.

0:21:00 > 0:21:05And in that small moment of the tray being picked up and moved,

0:21:05 > 0:21:09over 70 fake ID cards are handed over in an envelope

0:21:09 > 0:21:12and are placed in Krasniqi's back pocket.

0:21:13 > 0:21:17The moment both men leave, the NCA officers race to arrest them.

0:21:18 > 0:21:23Krasniqi was caught red-handed with the 70 fake ID cards.

0:21:23 > 0:21:26And when the team raided a property linked to his name,

0:21:26 > 0:21:29they found £12,000 in cash hidden behind the oven.

0:21:31 > 0:21:35At the flat belonging to the forger of the fake cards, Arsene Meci,

0:21:35 > 0:21:40the NCA discovered one of the fake ID factories they'd been searching for.

0:21:40 > 0:21:44Amongst the materials needed to create fake passports,

0:21:44 > 0:21:46driving licences and other ID documents,

0:21:46 > 0:21:50the officers found a type of card they'd never seen before.

0:21:51 > 0:21:53Initially, we were, I have to say,

0:21:53 > 0:21:57quite unaware of the requirement for the Construction Services cards.

0:21:57 > 0:22:00However, as we downloaded the databases,

0:22:00 > 0:22:03it was quite clear that this was a prominent area of their work.

0:22:03 > 0:22:07The forgers had realised that ID cards are now mandatory

0:22:07 > 0:22:11on the vast majority of construction sites across the country.

0:22:11 > 0:22:14They'd been selling fake ID cards to construction workers

0:22:14 > 0:22:15in their thousands.

0:22:16 > 0:22:19This is one of the Construction Skill Certification Scheme cards

0:22:19 > 0:22:21that were seized.

0:22:21 > 0:22:24This is a fake card which states that this gentleman

0:22:24 > 0:22:27as a construction site operative,

0:22:27 > 0:22:30and that he's accredited to work on construction sites.

0:22:30 > 0:22:34Basic construction identity cards were sold for as little as £50.

0:22:34 > 0:22:38But other, more specialist fakes, like this one can be sold for 500.

0:22:40 > 0:22:43This, again, another plastic card that's been created.

0:22:43 > 0:22:46Again, it will have been layered on the computer.

0:22:46 > 0:22:52This one is for Engineering Services Skills Card which states

0:22:52 > 0:22:54the registered holder of this card holds

0:22:54 > 0:22:56the construction qualifications listed on the reverse.

0:22:56 > 0:23:00On there it states he's specialist in ductwork erector

0:23:00 > 0:23:02and ductwork installer.

0:23:03 > 0:23:07Meci and Krasniqi eventually pleaded guilty to all charges.

0:23:07 > 0:23:10They were sentenced to six and a half years

0:23:10 > 0:23:13and five and a half years in prison respectively.

0:23:13 > 0:23:15Meci will be deported to his native Albania

0:23:15 > 0:23:17on the completion of his sentence.

0:23:20 > 0:23:24Many of the fake construction ID cards for which Meci and Krasniqi

0:23:24 > 0:23:28were responsible carried the logo CSCS.

0:23:28 > 0:23:31And that stands for Construction Skills Certification Scheme.

0:23:34 > 0:23:38It's the largest of the identity card schemes and Graham Wren is the CEO.

0:23:40 > 0:23:42For a supervisor or a site manager,

0:23:42 > 0:23:46the card is a really valuable tool in confirming the individual's

0:23:46 > 0:23:49identity, in confirming the qualifications they hold.

0:23:50 > 0:23:54Fake identity cards can allow workers to operate dangerous equipment

0:23:54 > 0:23:57without having had to pay for any training.

0:23:57 > 0:24:00Fake Britain asked CSCS to investigate the scale of the problem,

0:24:00 > 0:24:05so they ran a survey of construction site managers.

0:24:05 > 0:24:09The results showed fake cards were being used on one in five sites.

0:24:09 > 0:24:12But the authorities are fighting back.

0:24:12 > 0:24:15The Construction Industry Training Board has been tasked with

0:24:15 > 0:24:17tracking down the people using fake cards.

0:24:19 > 0:24:22Investigative officer Ian Sidney is the first port of call

0:24:22 > 0:24:25when a fake card is discovered.

0:24:25 > 0:24:27We have uncovered quite a black market for fake cards

0:24:27 > 0:24:29in the construction industry,

0:24:29 > 0:24:33especially for some of the plant cards we found, which again,

0:24:33 > 0:24:36we know are changing hands for between £300 and £500.

0:24:36 > 0:24:40Ian has just discovered that a construction worker using

0:24:40 > 0:24:43a fake identity card has caused an accident.

0:24:45 > 0:24:48We've received a complaint from a health and safety advisor

0:24:48 > 0:24:51for a construction company following an incident

0:24:51 > 0:24:55on one of their construction sites involving a forward tipping dumper

0:24:55 > 0:24:56being involved in an accident.

0:24:56 > 0:24:59As a result of the accident, they have checked on the card

0:24:59 > 0:25:02held by the driver and it would appear that the card he'd produced

0:25:02 > 0:25:05to them when he arrived on site was a fake card.

0:25:05 > 0:25:07Luckily, there was nobody injured

0:25:07 > 0:25:09but there was some damage caused to property on the site.

0:25:09 > 0:25:13Ian needs to track down the man who's been using the fake card

0:25:13 > 0:25:15before he can cause any more damage.

0:25:15 > 0:25:18What we'll do this morning is we'll obviously attend his address,

0:25:18 > 0:25:23hopefully he'll be there and we can then try and recover the fake card.

0:25:23 > 0:25:24But we have no powers of arrest

0:25:24 > 0:25:28so we use the local police to use their powers of arrest.

0:25:28 > 0:25:31If we then need to search the premises for evidence,

0:25:31 > 0:25:35they will use their powers to search his address and also to detain him.

0:25:38 > 0:25:42The team arrives at the address, but the suspect isn't there.

0:25:43 > 0:25:46- Is there anybody by that name who lives here?- No.

0:25:46 > 0:25:48No. No.

0:25:48 > 0:25:52Clearly, it's quite common that subjects will give false addresses,

0:25:52 > 0:25:55false dates of birth and even false names, especially

0:25:55 > 0:25:58if they're here as migrant workers with no rights to work.

0:25:58 > 0:26:01So it's quite a common thing that we do come across quite regularly.

0:26:01 > 0:26:05So the team calls the number on the fake card.

0:26:05 > 0:26:07I just need for you to confirm your address,

0:26:07 > 0:26:10- because the address we've got on file is- BLEEP.

0:26:10 > 0:26:13- And you're not living at- BLEEP. - You was there?

0:26:13 > 0:26:16The lady says you don't live there but you're now telling me

0:26:16 > 0:26:19that she's called you and told you that we've been with the police?

0:26:19 > 0:26:23The suspect eventually provides the team with a second address.

0:26:23 > 0:26:25You're at that address now?

0:26:25 > 0:26:27OK. OK. All right. Well, thank you very much for your help.

0:26:27 > 0:26:29I'll see you shortly.

0:26:33 > 0:26:36Ian and the police arrive at the second address

0:26:36 > 0:26:39and finally the suspect comes out to meet them.

0:26:39 > 0:26:42We're from the Construction Industry Training Board.

0:26:42 > 0:26:43We're fraud investigators. OK?

0:26:43 > 0:26:46And we're looking to speak to you about a previous card

0:26:46 > 0:26:49that was issued to you, a CPCS card. OK?

0:26:49 > 0:26:52This one is a card that was issued to you which you

0:26:52 > 0:26:54- used on a building site. - I keep it.- OK.

0:26:54 > 0:26:58This card, we believe, is a fraudulent card.

0:26:58 > 0:27:02The suspect is arrested and handcuffed. His wallet is searched.

0:27:03 > 0:27:04And they find the fake card.

0:27:06 > 0:27:09This is the fake card. As you can see, it's got his picture on.

0:27:09 > 0:27:13This is for a forward tipping dumper and a ride-on roller.

0:27:13 > 0:27:16It's a good result. We've got the fake card.

0:27:16 > 0:27:19The suspect's taken to the local police station for interview.

0:27:21 > 0:27:24An hour later, Ian gets an update from the custody sergeant.

0:27:24 > 0:27:27Our subject's now been interviewed, formally admitted his involvement

0:27:27 > 0:27:30in the offence and how he came to have possession of the fake cards.

0:27:30 > 0:27:34As he had no previous convictions, he's been formally cautioned for the

0:27:34 > 0:27:37offence by the police and that's an end to the criminal investigation.

0:27:38 > 0:27:41But cases like this are putting the construction industry

0:27:41 > 0:27:43under greater scrutiny.

0:27:43 > 0:27:46It's fakery that could ultimately lead to a serious accident.

0:27:56 > 0:27:59A new gadget to help our homes get really clean

0:27:59 > 0:28:01is selling by the lorry-load.

0:28:01 > 0:28:03This is an electric steam mop.

0:28:03 > 0:28:07The makers claim that steam is a more efficient way to shift dirt

0:28:07 > 0:28:12and grime, and inevitably that's why you can now buy one of these -

0:28:12 > 0:28:13the fake version.

0:28:13 > 0:28:15Almost identical to the real thing.

0:28:15 > 0:28:18But spend your money on this and you'll wish

0:28:18 > 0:28:20you'd stuck to a mop and bucket.

0:28:22 > 0:28:25Steam mops have never been in greater demand.

0:28:25 > 0:28:28There are nearly a dozen different types available and this one,

0:28:28 > 0:28:32the Thane X5, has been sold to more than a million British households.

0:28:35 > 0:28:41Eilish Barnett lives in Guernsey, 75 miles off the English coast.

0:28:41 > 0:28:43With her three young children, it's a busy household

0:28:43 > 0:28:46and keeping the floors clean is a challenge.

0:28:46 > 0:28:50We're outdoors people with lots of muddy shoes

0:28:50 > 0:28:55and the mop seems the ideal solution for us to be able to help me

0:28:55 > 0:28:58to keep the house a little bit more orderly.

0:29:00 > 0:29:03Eilish decided to go for the Thane X5,

0:29:03 > 0:29:06so called because it comes with five accessories.

0:29:07 > 0:29:09She called a couple of retailers

0:29:09 > 0:29:12but was put off by the high delivery charges.

0:29:12 > 0:29:14The solution? Go online.

0:29:16 > 0:29:20I went for the online seller because they were offering a free service.

0:29:21 > 0:29:23The mop arrived a few days later

0:29:23 > 0:29:25and Eilish couldn't wait to get it working.

0:29:25 > 0:29:27It all looked absolutely brilliant.

0:29:27 > 0:29:29It was professionally packed

0:29:29 > 0:29:31and everything looked absolutely perfect.

0:29:33 > 0:29:36You know, I was trying out all the attachments

0:29:36 > 0:29:38and it worked really well.

0:29:38 > 0:29:41It was fast and it had different speeds of steam.

0:29:41 > 0:29:44So I was ploughing through the mud in the house

0:29:44 > 0:29:48and wiping down the walls, and I was really, really pleased with it.

0:29:49 > 0:29:53But four weeks later, the mop suddenly stopped.

0:29:53 > 0:29:57Eilish wanted answers so she called Thane, who manufacture the mop.

0:29:57 > 0:29:59I said, "Please can I send this product back

0:29:59 > 0:30:03"and for you to fix it, otherwise I'll just have to throw it into the bin

0:30:03 > 0:30:05"because I can't get hold of the online sellers?"

0:30:05 > 0:30:07And they were absolutely brilliant.

0:30:07 > 0:30:10They said, "Before you do send it to us,

0:30:10 > 0:30:13"take some photographs and we'll have a look at your mop."

0:30:13 > 0:30:17So that's what I did and they came back to me straight away and said,

0:30:17 > 0:30:20"No, it's not one of ours, it's a fake product."

0:30:22 > 0:30:25Mark Thurgood is Thane's managing director.

0:30:25 > 0:30:29The company's X5 mop was launched back in 2011

0:30:29 > 0:30:31but the fakers weren't far behind.

0:30:32 > 0:30:35Just after we launched the product, we started to see alternative

0:30:35 > 0:30:37listings on Amazon and eBay.

0:30:37 > 0:30:41So we bought some test products, did test purchases.

0:30:41 > 0:30:43Some of the products arrived, some of it didn't.

0:30:43 > 0:30:46We started to see that the product wasn't original product.

0:30:46 > 0:30:48It was copy product, it was fake product.

0:30:48 > 0:30:50As well as copying the mop,

0:30:50 > 0:30:53the fakers have tried hard to replicate the branding.

0:30:54 > 0:30:57As you can see here from these two boxes, we've got the original

0:30:57 > 0:30:58and we've got the fake.

0:30:58 > 0:31:00They've copied not only the product,

0:31:00 > 0:31:02they've copied the marketing messages as well.

0:31:02 > 0:31:05So we've got the one to five uses of the product

0:31:05 > 0:31:09and then on the copy box, one to five uses of the product as well.

0:31:10 > 0:31:12And to Mark's frustration,

0:31:12 > 0:31:16the fakers are now bringing out spin offs from his company's X5 brand.

0:31:16 > 0:31:19So our product is essentially a five-in-one product.

0:31:19 > 0:31:22If you look online now, the fakers are marketing their products

0:31:22 > 0:31:25as ten-in-one, 12-in-one, six-in-one.

0:31:25 > 0:31:26Many, many different variations.

0:31:26 > 0:31:30They're distorting the same marketing methods we're putting out.

0:31:31 > 0:31:35Fake Britain wanted to investigate how safe the fake mops might be.

0:31:35 > 0:31:39We asked electrical safety expert Steve Curtler to examine

0:31:39 > 0:31:42two of the fake mops that had been bought by unwitting customers.

0:31:44 > 0:31:47Steve starts by opening up a genuine mop.

0:31:47 > 0:31:50All the electrical controls are well sealed

0:31:50 > 0:31:53inside a separate unit.

0:31:53 > 0:31:57If there is any problems or faults from an electrical point of view,

0:31:57 > 0:31:59we've got fuse protection inside.

0:32:00 > 0:32:02The electronic compartment.

0:32:02 > 0:32:05Now Steve opens up one of the returned fake mops.

0:32:05 > 0:32:08We can see here, clearly some moisture damage

0:32:08 > 0:32:12occurred inside here from a leaky seal.

0:32:13 > 0:32:17We also have some moisture damage on the surface of this circuit board.

0:32:17 > 0:32:22Which, again, will short out components, electric shock risk,

0:32:22 > 0:32:24there's fire risk, explosion risk.

0:32:24 > 0:32:27Typical problems and issues we would expect to find

0:32:27 > 0:32:29inside a counterfeit unit.

0:32:29 > 0:32:33Steve also takes a look at the most recent version of the faked mop,

0:32:33 > 0:32:35the X10.

0:32:35 > 0:32:38The immediate omission inside this one, there is no safety release

0:32:38 > 0:32:41if the pressure was to build up or there's no blockage.

0:32:41 > 0:32:44It'll be interesting to see how this performs under test.

0:32:44 > 0:32:46Time for testing.

0:32:46 > 0:32:48And first up, the genuine mop.

0:32:48 > 0:32:52Steve blocks off its main water vent as he wants to see how the

0:32:52 > 0:32:54product would deal with this common fault.

0:32:54 > 0:32:58The steam should escape from the user via the emergency vent,

0:32:58 > 0:33:01leaving the internal electronics dry.

0:33:01 > 0:33:03MACHINE WHIRS

0:33:05 > 0:33:07So far, so good.

0:33:09 > 0:33:12Steve now runs the same test with the first fake mop.

0:33:13 > 0:33:18The fake doesn't vent at all and appears to be getting very hot.

0:33:18 > 0:33:22I wouldn't like to get my hand anywhere near that at the moment.

0:33:22 > 0:33:24That's going to be red-hot.

0:33:24 > 0:33:28The fault condition we've created has caused the unit to overheat

0:33:28 > 0:33:31to the point where it has melted the casing.

0:33:31 > 0:33:33That is going to be extremely hot.

0:33:33 > 0:33:36You are waiting for it to heat up to use it to steam something,

0:33:36 > 0:33:41you go to pick it up, the case is clearly melted, you are going to

0:33:41 > 0:33:46get severely burned and, you know, possibly plastic stuck to your hand.

0:33:46 > 0:33:50It's exceeded the temperature limits in the product standard

0:33:50 > 0:33:53so this is a non-compliant product.

0:33:53 > 0:33:55Now for the fake X10.

0:33:55 > 0:33:59This product has only one vent so Steve tests it

0:33:59 > 0:34:01without any alterations.

0:34:01 > 0:34:05If you were to leave this on charge, would it vent safely?

0:34:05 > 0:34:07MACHINE BUZZES

0:34:10 > 0:34:12This doesn't look good.

0:34:15 > 0:34:17Hot water is leaking through the unit's body

0:34:17 > 0:34:20onto the internal unprotected electronics.

0:34:22 > 0:34:23MACHINE BUZZES QUICKLY

0:34:27 > 0:34:30So, clearly, it has failed on the fact that the design

0:34:30 > 0:34:35hasn't allowed the pressure to be released in a safe manner.

0:34:37 > 0:34:41What's actually happened is there's a fracture of a pipe

0:34:41 > 0:34:45and that's just allowed the water to spray all over inside the unit.

0:34:46 > 0:34:49Whenever there's water and electricity, there's always the risk

0:34:49 > 0:34:52of electric shock or short-circuit which could can cause fires.

0:34:52 > 0:34:56We showed the results of the tests on the fake mops to Eilish.

0:34:57 > 0:35:00I just feel now the event is over, how lucky I was

0:35:00 > 0:35:03that I wasn't the one that could have got electrocuted.

0:35:03 > 0:35:08And I... it's worth going through the proper manufacturers and

0:35:08 > 0:35:12getting the right one rather than landing up with a fake product.

0:35:19 > 0:35:23Once upon a time, our first job could be a job for life.

0:35:23 > 0:35:26Now people might change careers a number of times

0:35:26 > 0:35:28throughout their lives for all sorts of reasons.

0:35:28 > 0:35:33One of the most successful areas in attracting career changes is counselling.

0:35:33 > 0:35:36There's a boom in the number of training courses offered,

0:35:36 > 0:35:38some of them online, and they aren't cheap.

0:35:38 > 0:35:42A typical two-year course costs over £5,000.

0:35:42 > 0:35:46So, with so many people keen to retrain, can you trust your tutor?

0:35:49 > 0:35:53Every year, nearly 10,000 people decide to change job,

0:35:53 > 0:35:55and retrain as a counsellor.

0:35:55 > 0:35:58Those working in the industry say helping their clients through

0:35:58 > 0:36:02troubling issues and experiences is fulfilling work,

0:36:02 > 0:36:04and provides long-term career prospects.

0:36:05 > 0:36:08For those seeking to become an accredited counsellor,

0:36:08 > 0:36:10completing a one-year course is the first step.

0:36:13 > 0:36:16This counselling course, taught at over 100 places across the country,

0:36:16 > 0:36:19can cost up to £9,000.

0:36:19 > 0:36:21Many students will sign up for the course part-time,

0:36:21 > 0:36:24and attend over two or even three years.

0:36:27 > 0:36:28In picturesque St Austell,

0:36:28 > 0:36:32Jenny Reid was looking for a new career as a counsellor,

0:36:32 > 0:36:35but the cost of the fees was proving to be a real obstacle.

0:36:35 > 0:36:40I looked into doing a college course,

0:36:40 > 0:36:43and it wasn't financially viable at the time,

0:36:43 > 0:36:46so continued with the work I was doing.

0:36:47 > 0:36:50One day at the supermarket where Jenny worked, a customer,

0:36:50 > 0:36:55Dr Jacqueline Crane, mentioned that she taught an accredited counselling course.

0:36:55 > 0:36:58Her fees were lower than the price Jenny had been quoted by her local college.

0:37:00 > 0:37:02We arranged a meeting.

0:37:02 > 0:37:03She seemed like a genuine lady,

0:37:03 > 0:37:05and the course, and everything, seemed genuine.

0:37:05 > 0:37:08Dr Crane's impressive counselling credentials

0:37:08 > 0:37:10were on show for everyone to see.

0:37:10 > 0:37:14I remember seeing a certificate in the house, and I was impressed

0:37:14 > 0:37:18that someone had worked so hard, got the qualifications.

0:37:18 > 0:37:20It inspired me to work hard.

0:37:20 > 0:37:23And the course started well.

0:37:23 > 0:37:24I put my all into it.

0:37:24 > 0:37:28Every course we were set, I'd do it to the best of my ability.

0:37:29 > 0:37:32A few months later, Dr Crane arranged a photo shoot

0:37:32 > 0:37:35to celebrate the group successfully completing their first-year exams.

0:37:36 > 0:37:40But some of her students were becoming increasingly concerned

0:37:40 > 0:37:43about the quality of the teaching they were receiving.

0:37:43 > 0:37:46We seemed to be repeating a lot of what we had already learnt.

0:37:46 > 0:37:50We were going over it far too often. We weren't learning anything new.

0:37:50 > 0:37:54It was almost like she'd run out of things that she could...

0:37:54 > 0:37:55really teach us.

0:37:56 > 0:37:59The night before their next set of exams, the students,

0:37:59 > 0:38:01keen to be as prepared as possible,

0:38:01 > 0:38:04looked up some past question on the exam body's website.

0:38:06 > 0:38:09The following day, as they turned over their exam paper,

0:38:09 > 0:38:12the students were astonished to see exactly the same questions

0:38:12 > 0:38:15as those they'd seen the night before.

0:38:16 > 0:38:21Dr Crane claimed the exam board, the AQA, had sent her the wrong exam.

0:38:22 > 0:38:24But her students had lost trust.

0:38:25 > 0:38:29It got to a point where we all decided that it was not a good idea to do the exam.

0:38:29 > 0:38:34We were all too up in the air about everything, so we left,

0:38:34 > 0:38:38and two of the girls went and spoke to the police.

0:38:40 > 0:38:44The two students, fearful they'd lost thousands of pounds on a fake course,

0:38:44 > 0:38:47went directly to speak to Detective Constable Steve White.

0:38:49 > 0:38:51On receiving the complaint, I made some phone calls.

0:38:51 > 0:38:56I called the AQA examination board to see if a Professor Crane

0:38:56 > 0:39:01was indeed a legitimate, registered centre with them.

0:39:01 > 0:39:05They couldn't find any record of her being part of their group.

0:39:06 > 0:39:10It was enough for DC White to launch an investigation.

0:39:10 > 0:39:14He took statements from the other students on the course, including Jenny.

0:39:14 > 0:39:17After obtaining all the complaint statements,

0:39:17 > 0:39:19made a decision to arrest Jacqui Crane

0:39:19 > 0:39:22so that we could question her about the allegations,

0:39:22 > 0:39:25and also to search her home address to look for evidence

0:39:25 > 0:39:29and documents relating to any offences that may have taken place.

0:39:30 > 0:39:33A haul of documents, discovered by DC White,

0:39:33 > 0:39:36would reveal the true credentials of Jacqueline Crane.

0:39:37 > 0:39:40Of the many documents we did seize from her house,

0:39:40 > 0:39:42this one perhaps interested me the most,

0:39:42 > 0:39:44because when I found it,

0:39:44 > 0:39:50I really believed that perhaps she was a Doctor of Psychology

0:39:50 > 0:39:53and she did have the qualifications that she said she'd had,

0:39:53 > 0:39:57because clearly it's a University of Plymouth certification,

0:39:57 > 0:40:00signed and sealed by the relevant people.

0:40:02 > 0:40:05So, I made enquiries with the University of Plymouth,

0:40:05 > 0:40:09and they sent me a copy of a certificate

0:40:09 > 0:40:12that they had issued to Jacqueline Crane,

0:40:12 > 0:40:15which was a Diploma of Higher Education for a course

0:40:15 > 0:40:21which they said she had attended in 2008, but had not completed.

0:40:21 > 0:40:25So, what they told me to look out for was if you have a look in the

0:40:25 > 0:40:29bottom right-hand corner, there is a reference number,

0:40:29 > 0:40:33and that reference number is the reference number of each individual

0:40:33 > 0:40:37certificate that they issue, and the reference number is identical.

0:40:38 > 0:40:40So, if you look carefully at the two documents,

0:40:40 > 0:40:46you can see that the Diploma of Higher Education has morphed into a PhD.

0:40:46 > 0:40:49The date has been changed,

0:40:49 > 0:40:54and the accreditation by the British Psychological Society has been added.

0:40:56 > 0:40:59Jacqueline Crane had never been registered with the AQA,

0:40:59 > 0:41:03but she'd falsely reproduced the organisation's logo

0:41:03 > 0:41:06to convince her students the course they were paying for was real.

0:41:08 > 0:41:12Eventually, DC White had enough information to charge Jacqueline Crane,

0:41:12 > 0:41:14but before the court proceedings began,

0:41:14 > 0:41:16she produced a doctor's letter

0:41:16 > 0:41:20stating she was neither physically nor mentally fit to attend court.

0:41:23 > 0:41:27It was only when DC White contacted Crane's GP that he discovered

0:41:27 > 0:41:31the letters, like her credentials and course, were fake.

0:41:33 > 0:41:37DC White's discovery of the fake letter meant Crane would not escape her day in court.

0:41:43 > 0:41:44Faced with overwhelming evidence,

0:41:44 > 0:41:48Jacqueline Crane eventually admitted her guilt.

0:41:48 > 0:41:51The judge sentenced her to 18 months in prison for fraud

0:41:51 > 0:41:52and other offences.

0:41:54 > 0:41:56But for most of Crane's students,

0:41:56 > 0:41:59the dream of becoming a counsellor is now over.

0:41:59 > 0:42:04Many spent their entire savings on what's turned out to be a fake course.

0:42:05 > 0:42:09In total, I think we would estimate that Jacqueline Crane has

0:42:09 > 0:42:13gained about £10,000 as a result of this counselling course.

0:42:14 > 0:42:18Jenny had been enrolled in Crane's fake course for just under a year,

0:42:18 > 0:42:20so she lost £800.

0:42:20 > 0:42:23Some of the group lost around 2,000,

0:42:23 > 0:42:29but the real cost of Jacqueline Crane's fakery hasn't been purely financial.

0:42:29 > 0:42:34As time has gone on, I've got less and less trusting of...people.

0:42:35 > 0:42:38But Jenny's been able to cope with Crane's deception better than

0:42:38 > 0:42:40some of the members of the group.

0:42:40 > 0:42:43There are others in the group that are still coming to terms

0:42:43 > 0:42:46with the whole experience.

0:42:46 > 0:42:49They may possibly be affected by it for the rest of their lives.

0:42:57 > 0:42:59That's all from Fake Britain. Goodbye.