**Swansea Man Jailed After Paying Fraudster to Sit Driving Tests on His Behalf**
A Swansea resident has been jailed after admitting to paying a fraudster to take both his theory and practical driving tests, as he believed his limited command of English would prevent him from passing the exams himself. The elaborate ruse ultimately failed when authorities discovered the deception during routine anti-fraud checks.
Min He, 38, residing in the Townhill area of Swansea, resorted to hiring an impersonator in a desperate attempt to secure a driving licence. This individual, whose identity remains unconfirmed, succeeded in taking both the theory test at Newport’s Clarence House centre and the practical driving assessment in Brecon, all the while presenting He’s own provisional licence as identification.
The details of the case emerged during a sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court. According to prosecutors, He first contacted the fraudster via WeChat, a widely used messaging platform, exchanging voice messages to make arrangements. On 5 August last year, the pair met at Newport railway station where He handed over his provisional driving licence and a payment of £800. A second meeting took place four days later, this time in the car park of a Morrisons supermarket in Brecon, where He handed over an additional £1,000 in cash and once again lent his licence, enabling the impersonator to take the practical driving test.
This series of fraudulent acts came to light when counter-fraud investigators scrutinised CCTV footage from the test centres. A discrepancy between the person seen in the videos and the photograph on He’s provisional licence sparked a deeper investigation. The mismatch was clear enough for the authorities to launch a review, which ultimately concluded that He had not been present at the exams.
When contacted by officials, He quickly admitted wrongdoing and was fully co-operative during a voluntary interview. He explained that his motivation for the fraud was a lack of confidence in his English skills and a desire to obtain a driving licence to secure a better job to provide for his wife and two young children.
Prosecutor Justin Davies told the court that He’s actions meant his road safety competence had never been properly tested, creating a potential danger to other drivers, pedestrians and cyclists. The Court also heard that He had no previous convictions and had otherwise lived a lawful life in the UK. His defence counsel, Hannah Friedman, emphasised his strong work ethic and devotion to his family, describing his efforts as fuelled by a genuine wish to improve their circumstances.
However, Judge Shomon Khan, whilst noting He’s challenging personal circumstances, underlined the seriousness of the offence. He told the court that He’s conduct involved not only poor judgement but a clear act of dishonesty, warning that crimes of this nature undermine public safety and trust in the driving test system.
Judge Khan added that the wider public interest demanded an appropriate deterrent for such behaviour, stating that overlooking the offence would risk sending the “wrong message”.
Consequently, Min He was sentenced to a total of four months in prison, highlighting the courts’ commitment to upholding the integrity of licensing standards, despite his previously unblemished record and significant personal mitigation.
Instances such as this demonstrate the vulnerabilities inherent in identification-based assessments and stress the need for continual vigilance by examination authorities. This case also reflects the pressures faced by some individuals keen to improve their family’s prospects, sometimes leading them down unlawful pathways.
As the court proceedings conclude, the case serves as a reminder of the complex intersection between personal hardship, language barriers, and the rule of law, and the consequences of undermining public systems through deception.