NYPD blues: Taxi driver caught over fake New York Police Department letter
Wannabe cabbie used 'good conduct' notice in bid to get job - and has received a caution
A would-be Black Country cabbie has been cautioned by cops after his pal faked a New York Police Department certificate to back up a licence application.
The prospective taxi driver, from Sandwell, who has not been named, used a ‘good conduct’ notice from the NYPD to endorse his request for a private hire driver’s licence.
Fake NYPD recommendation from Birmingham taxi driver application form
Documentation was demanded by Sandwell Council’s Taxi Licensing Office because the applicant had lived in the UK for less than five years.
However, the ruse was rumbled when a pal in the US city faked the certificate on his home computer and officials at the Black Country authority became suspicious of the scam.
The devious driver had begged the pal in New York to obtain the certificate.
However, he was informed that the applicant would have to attend in person to have his fingerprints taken before the prized notice could be issued. Alternatively he could download the form, attend the US Embassy in London, and pay for the service.
Fake NYPD recommendation from Birmingham taxi driver application form
To avoid the inconvenience, the friend created the bogus certificate on his computer and the applicant presented it to the licensing office in the Black Country hoping to gain permission to begin taking fares.
Dubious Sandwell officers contacted the NYPD who soon passed on the information that the notice of good conduct was faked.
The applicant was interviewed by West Midlands Police and cautioned because of his previous good character.
A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: “His application for a private hire driver’s licence was understandably declined.
“It was a great example of multi-agency co-operation, not just locally, but across the Atlantic.”
source: http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/mi ... ht-9756199
