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Driving test conmen jailed over £2,000 impersonation scam

A man from Birmingham is among three men who have been jailed for organising and undertaking theory and practical driving test fraud.

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Lovepreet Khalon, aged 25, of Oxhill Road, Handsworth Wood, was given a 15-month prison sentence at Reading Crown Court.

Khalon, who admitted conspiracy and 10 counts of false representation, had impersonated people to do 13 theory and practical driving tests.

He was part of a gang that charged £2,000 a test. The court heard numerous driving licences and other identity documents were recovered.

Ahmed Mukhtar, 25, of Court Crescent, Slough, was jailed for 28 months reduced to 21 months after admitting conspiracy.

Hardeep Tiwana Singh, 36, of Cranbourne Waye, Hayes, was jailed for 10 months after admitting fraud, fraud by eight counts of false representation and also asked for 10 other cases of false representation to be taken into consideration.

The case against a fourth man, Sakater Singh, 26, of Elliman Avenue, Slough, remains outstanding.

He has admitted conspiracy but he failed to appear at the hearing on January 6 and a warrant has been issued.

The test centres the offences took place at were across the country, while they advertised via social media.

The theory test costs £23, while the practical test costs £62 on weekday and £75 on weekends.

DVSA Head of Counter Fraud and Investigations, Andy Rice, said: "DVSA's first priority is to protect everyone from unsafe drivers and vehicles.

"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.

"Driving test fraud is a serious offence and is 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.

"These sentences send out a clear message that those who put road users and the public at risk by cheating the driving test process will be pursued and prosecuted."

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