Security guard who committed identity theft and fraud jailed for five months

On Thursday 6 September, at Woolwich Crown Court, Kazeem Oladimeji of Bromley pleaded guilty to an offence under the Fraud Act 2006 of fraud by false representation while working in the security industry. Oladimeji was jailed for five months and fined £115 for gaining employment using fraudulent documentation. He has been in custody since 15 August 2018 following his appearance at Bromley Magistrates' Court.

Oladimeji's conviction followed an investigation by the SIA, which stemmed from a report by a former SIA licence holder that his identity may have been compromised. 

SIA Investigators established Oladimeji adopted another's identity and obtained a false passport to enable him to gain employment. He undertook a licence renewal, altering or replacing the issued licence to show his own photograph.

Oladimeji was formally interviewed and admitted that he had used false identification documents, including obtaining a passport in the victim's name.  During the interview he also admitted to working illegally as a security guard at a supermarket in South London.

The SIA investigation was taken on by the Metropolitan Police Service due to uncertainty regarding Oladimeji's true identity and immigration status in the UK.

Nathan Salmon, the SIA's Criminal Investigations Manager, said:

 "Kazeem Oladimeji sought work in the security industry but in all probability did not qualify with our standards to achieve a licence. He therefore committed identity fraud in order to gain a job in the private security industry.

The gravity of his offence is reflected in his sentence of five months in prison.

The SIA is committed to taking robust action against those who commit criminality within the private security industry and this case serves as an example."  

Nicholas Banks, the SIA's Senior Manager Decisions & Compliance, said:

"We are confident that our identity checking procedures are sufficiently robust and minimise the risk of fraud but recognise the challenge in trying to eliminate fraud. Where we do become aware that a fraud has taken place we take stringent and urgent action."

Ends

Notes to Editors:

1. By law, security operatives working under contract must hold and display a valid SIA licence. Information about SIA enforcement and penalties can be found on the website.
2. All first-time applicants must produce in person either their passport, UK driving licence, original UK birth certificate or UK biometric resident permit card for a face-to-face check.
3. Our digital checks also result in some documents being subject to further inspection using a verification scanner. In addition, in order to apply for a front-line SIA licence you must obtain an approved training qualification which also requires production of identity documents in person.
4. The offences relating to the Private Security Act (2001) that are mentioned in the above news release are as follows:

Section 3 working without a licence

The Private Security Industry Act 2001 is available online via:http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2001/12/contents

5. Other offences were committed under Section 2 of the Fraud Act 2006.

Further information:The Security Industry Authority is the organisation responsible for regulating the private security industry in the United Kingdom, reporting to the Home Secretary under the terms of thePrivate Security Industry Act 2001. The SIA's main duties are: the compulsory licensing of individuals undertaking designated activities; and managing the voluntary Approved Contractor Scheme.

For further information about the Security Industry Authority or to sign up for email updates visit:www.sia.homeoffice.gov.uk. The SIA is also on Facebook (Security Industry Authority) and Twitter (@SIAuk).

Media enquiriesonlyplease contact:

Security Industry Authority

0300 123 9869

media.enquiries@sia.gsi.gov.uk