A CHINESE translator has been jailed for helping driving test candidates cheat on theory exams – a scam that’s believed to have netted him up to £100,000.
Interpreter Peter Hui was approved by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) to guide foreign applicants through the exam and voiceover its multiple choice questions and answer options in Mandarin.
However, a joint West Midlands Police and DSA investigation revealed Hui had helped more than 200 candidates pass by agreeing a cheat’s code which involved him saying “shi” – the Mandarin sound meaning “yes” – before reading out the answer he believed was correct.
DSA officials became suspicious at the increased number of prospective drivers choosing to be represented by the 55-year-old interpreter as his client list expanded rapidly towards the end of 2011 and into 2012.
They appointed their own Mandarin language expert to assess audio recordings taken from 27 of his translations and found he repeatedly used the “shi” prompt to steer candidates to the right answer.
Hui was arrested at the Birmingham test centre, in Dale End’s McLaren Building, on 21 August last year and – faced with the evidence put to him from West Midlands Police’s specialist Economic Crime Unit (ECU) – he admitted conspiring to defraud the DSA.
And on Monday (July 15) at Birmingham Crown Court Hui, from Nash Square in Perry Barr, was sentenced to 12 months in prison, whilst police finance investigators will look to recover cash and assets Hui is believed to have gained illegally.
Police can use the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) to seize any cash or property believed to have been accrued through criminality – investigators will now trawl through Hui’s financial dealings to determine what they can link to profits from his theory test scam.
It’s understood to be the first time a translator has been jailed for such a fraud.
Investigating officer, Detective Constable Mark Calvert from West Midlands Police’s ECU, said: “This was a serious fraud that potentially put road users and pedestrians at risk by putting people behind the wheel of vehicles when they were not properly qualified or competent enough to drive.
“We estimated Hui netted around £50,000 in 2012 before his arrest in August – but with a further 101 tests already in his diary for the second half of last year he stood to pocket another £25,000. And that’s on top of the money he made from the fraud in 2011.
“In the 27 tests analysed it was clear Hui was directing candidates towards the right answer – though on some occasions he said ‘shi’ before incorrect answers. It was also notable that on visual questions, like challenges to identify road signs, Hui offered no ‘shi’ steer as he wasn’t able to see the screen displaying the answer options.”
Two candidates who admitted paying Hui to help them cheat – a 25-year-old man from Smethwick and a 45-year-old man from Highgate – also admitted a charge of conspiracy to commit fraud and were ordered to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work and pay £100 costs. Their theory test passes have also been revoked.
The court heard how the younger man hired Hui on 3 February last year having failed his first theory exam attempt and hearing whispers in the Chinese community that his ‘methods’ could guarantee a pass second time around.
They met at a McDonalds restaurant near the test centre where they agreed the “shi” cheat’s code and a fee of £120 – he went on to pass the test with audio recordings later showing Hui indicated the right answer on 40 of the 50 questions posed.
The 45-year-old cheat, a chef, was approached by Hui as he left the McLaren Building having failed his theory exam.
They met at a Chinatown restaurant before his re-sit on 13 March where the system was explained and the pair shook on a fee of £250; he also went on to pass the test despite Hui pointing his candidate to the wrong answer on four occasions.
DC Calvert added: “It seems Hui was establishing a reputation as a theory test ‘fixer’ in the Chinese community for anyone who was struggling to pass.
“At the start of each test translators have to read out a vow which states ‘I confirm I will not do anything to affect the integrity of the test and understand that by assisting a candidate I may be committing a criminal offence’.
“He obviously thought it was easy money and that, as the cheat’s code was in Mandarin, assumed the DSA and police would be oblivious to his scheme. He was wrong and is now paying the price for his con.”
Theory test candidates that cannot speak or read English can ask for a ‘voiceover’ in one of 21 different languages provided by the DSA-approved translators.
Last week (July 10) officers from West Midlands Police’s ECU arrested an Urdu translator suspected of helping bus and lorry drivers cheat on theory tests. A 39-year-old man from Alum Rock was bailed till a date in September pending detailed enquiries.
DSA’s Head of Fraud and Integrity, Andy Rice, said: “The driving test is there to ensure that all drivers have the skills and knowledge to use the roads safely and responsibly. Anyone who tries to circumvent this process is putting innocent road users at risk.
“This sentence sends a clear message that driving test fraud is a serious offence and will be dealt with accordingly. We have stringent measures in place to detect fraudulent activity and work closely with the police to bring all offenders to justice.”