White card scam uncovered

A joint investigation by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and New South Wales Police has resulted in the arrest of a Sydney man, who police will allege has been selling health and safety ‘white cards’ to unqualified construction workers, according to an ABC news report.

Police will allege that the man fraudulently obtained the documents from a registered training organisation in Queensland and sold them to unqualified individuals for around $150 each. It is believed he sold around 400 in total.

Police are particularly concerned by the crime, as untrained and unqualified workers in the construction industry pose risk to other members of the community, as well as themselves.

The man was charged with four counts of fraud and granted bail to appear in court in early November. A number of items including white cards and documents relating to training, courses and qualifications for the construction industry were located when police searched a home and office in two separate locations in Sydney’s north-west.