Hookey Certificates

Boomer

Full Registered User
Heads up!

Anyone in possession of one or more of the forged "MCA accreditted" certificates (STCW95, SSO, etc) that were doing the rounds a few years ago would be wise to ditch them now. There's a purge on at the moment and multiple prosecutions for forgery are in the offing.

'nuff said

Boomer
 
Heads up!

Anyone in possession of one or more of the forged "MCA accreditted" certificates (STCW95, SSO, etc) that were doing the rounds a few years ago would be wise to ditch them now. There's a purge on at the moment and multiple prosecutions for forgery are in the offing.

'nuff said

Boomer

I would be curious to know if any prosecutions have actually been carried out. This is much needed in the industry in support of legitimate companies. Are you aware of pending cases and WHO in fact is catching these forgeries and who ultimately is prosecuting? Is there even a governing body that can revoke licenses for this criminal activity? How is legitimacy enforced?
 
Investigations are currently under way by the MCA and prosecutions pending for a number of individuals who have been issuing the forged certificates. Forgery is classed as a serious crime and usually attracts a gaol sentence. Anyone found presenting a forged certificate will also face criminal prosecution and a v heavy fine at the very least. It would also feature in any subsequent CRB check.

I can understand why those who have gone to the trouble and expense of gaining genuine certification might find pleasure in seeing the cheats hung out to dry, and that was my initial reaction too. That said, by alerting the guilty not to present the certificates, or if already in employment to replace them with genuine ones, it will help towards levelling the playing field. It will also act as a warning to anyone tempted to obtain any kind of dodgy certificate in the future.

Finally, these people we are talking about may be cheats, gullible and stupid, but at the end of the day they are ex servicemen like ourselves. I for one, am not happy to see otherwise good guys destroy their potential future career with a criminal record in exchange for a cheap laugh at their come-uppance; much better that we put our own house in order via this forum. In any case, they will still have to suffer the penalty of having to give up time and treasure to obtain genuine certificates in addition to the cost of the forgeries.

As regards the rest of your questions; as I said in the original post. "Nuff said". The circumstances are such that the forum will have to take my word for now that the information given is both current and genuine.

Of course, there will always be those who have to piss on the electric fence to find out for themselves.
 
I think your logic is flawed

I can understand why those who have gone to the trouble and expense of gaining genuine certification might find pleasure in seeing the cheats hung out to dry..........

This isn't about pleasure at all, it's about what is right and what is wrong. As you say, people have gone to the expense of doing things the right way. Assholes who buy false certificates are devaluing the effort and expense of HONEST people.

That said, by alerting the guilty not to present the certificates, or if already in employment to replace them with genuine ones, it will help towards levelling the playing field. It will also act as a warning to anyone tempted to obtain any kind of dodgy certificate in the future.

No it won't. All it will do is cause lying pieces of crap to do a better job of hiding their criminal activities. If someone is already in employment gained by using a false certificate, they have already committed criminal fraud and should certainly not be allowed to ever work in the industry again.

Finally, these people we are talking about may be cheats, gullible and stupid, but at the end of the day they are ex servicemen like ourselves.

You can speak for yourself if you like, but you don't speak for me or any other veteran. People who use false certifications are NOTHING like me. They lie, I don't. They present themselves as something they are not, I don't. They are thieves in the sense that they have stolen employment under false pretences from someone who IS qualified and HAS genuine certifications. Last, but not least, they are a massive safety risk for all those around them.

I for one, am not happy to see otherwise good guys destroy their potential future career with a criminal record in exchange for a cheap laugh at their come-uppance;

They are not good guys. You should get a little perspective on this, they are criminals and they destroyed any potential career themselves the moment they stepped over the line

the forum will have to take my word for now that the information given is both current and genuine.

Really?

Now, granted I am coming from the point of view of a training provider, but wrong is wrong no matter how you try to color between the lines. There is a hug problem with false certification in the security industry. It is far more widespread than many realise. We took action on this years ago with a searchable database of firearms qualifications. We will prosecute anyone who uses a forged copy of our certifications to the full extent of the law. We will also report to law enforcement if we know of anyone using any false qualification. I do not give a shit "why" they did it.

The solution to the use of false certificates is for the employers to carry verification and report incidences of the attempted use of false certificates to LE, then name and shame the assholes who tried to use them.
 
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SCT,

Once again you have fairly and squarely hit the nail on the head!

If someone is stupid enough to have a falsified training record and or counterfeit qualifications they deserve to be caught, named and shamed and prosecuted by the awarding body and over here the SIA.

We won't open the SIA can of worms as it has been done to death, but as an employer I always check quals and previous employers and the grapevine for an opinion from co workers and peers alike.

Regards

premier
 
Name and shame and out the pillocks. Ive seen it all from when the gravy train started back in 2003. Self regulation is one thing but having an SIA authority with naff all resources does not help any of us. Its usually left to the blokes on the ground to weed out the pond life that regularily turn up. Walts walts and more walts. It never seems to end. Any company using blokes and turning a blind eye or being complicit with it all should be closed down.
 
If we have to pay good money and do the courses and some f##kt@##'s get the fake certs then they deserve what the get In my opinion.
End of the day if they haven't done the training, they are a liability on a OP or a job.... They get what they deserve... .
 
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