Recruitment Fraud: Why Checks Matter
A former NHS employee has been jailed for four years after fraudulently obtaining NHS roles by making false claims about his qualifications, employment history, professional memberships and references. The NHS Counter Fraud Authority (NHSCFA) reported that he falsely claimed to have graduated from the University of Oxford and secured a number of NHS positions using dishonest information. Once in post, he would go off sick and remain absent until his contract was terminated, meaning he did little work and did not gain the experience he claimed to have in future applications. The investigation found that he had fraudulently obtained 13 NHS employments, resulting in a confirmed financial loss of almost £170,000 to the NHS.
How was the fraud discovered?
Routine pre-employment checks identified discrepancies in the applicant's claimed employment history. Further enquiries revealed that:
- A claimed NHS role had never been held.
- References provided were not genuine.
- Claimed qualifications could not be verified.
- Claimed professional memberships did not exist.
You can read more about this case on the BBC news website: NHS fraudster who lied about going to Oxford University jailed - BBC News
Key Reminders for Recruitment Staff
✅Verify qualifications and professional memberships
Where qualifications, registrations or memberships are essential for a role, ensure they are independently verified.
✅ Scrutinise references carefully Do not assume references are genuine.
Follow local procedures and verify concerns through appropriate channels.
✅ Check employment history thoroughly
Follow up unexplained gaps, inconsistencies or information that cannot be independently verified.
✅ Complete all identity checks
Identity verification remains a key defence against recruitment fraud and should be completed in line with NHS guidance and local procedures.
✅ Trust your instincts and escalate concerns
If something doesn't seem right, seek advice and escalate concerns through the appropriate route rather than proceeding on assumptions.
NHS Staff: If you identify or suspect recruitment fraud, please report your concerns to your Local Counter Fraud Specialist. Please see your organisation’s Anti-Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Policy for details.