'He’s a con artist': Fake carer spared jailed after scamming way into jobs at Glasgow care homes

Victor Nwaka, 42, conned the workplaces in Glasgow's Bridgeton and Drumchapel between March 2020 and February 2021.

The Nigerian national presented false documents claiming to be Frenchman with a different name.

These included a fake French passport, utility bills as well as certificates from organisations claiming that he was approved to work in social care. 

The failed student visa applicant went unnoticed after uploading the fake documents to online portals.

Nwaka pleaded guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to two charges of obtaining employment by fraud.

He also admitted to having French and Maltese passports he knew were false.

Victor Nwaka (Image: Newsquest)

Nwaka was ordered to do 300 hours of unpaid work within 12 months by Sheriff Matthew Jackson KC.

A source, whose identity we are protecting, told the Glasgow Times: “He’s avoided any sort of real justice and community service is just a slap on the wrist.

“He’s a con artist who lied and cheated his way into employment using fake documents. I think a prison sentence would have been more suitable for this level of criminality.

“He’s basically got away without any real punishment after bringing the ethics of the care sector into question. I don’t believe it will make any difference to him whatsoever and what kind of message does this type of soft sentence send out? It’s an utter disgrace.”

The court earlier heard Nwaka applied for student visas between 2009 and 2019.

The final appeal was dismissed in August 2020.

He had earlier been told that he had "no legal basis" to be in the UK and was subject to restrictions while at liberty.

Nwaka had meantime been living in the city's Royston when information was received by the Home Office that he was working as a care assistant using a false identity.

Nwaka had applied for and was successful in finding work with HC-One which operates care homes in the UK.

Prosecutor Hannah Terrance said: "In March 2020, he applied online for the post of care assistant within Arcada Gardens Care Home in Bridgeton.

"He pretended to be a French national who would have a right to work in the UK."

Nwaka's false passport bore the name "Mamoudou Dieye" and contained a real picture of Nwaka.

He also provided a basic disclosure check certificate issued by Disclosure Scotland showing no previous convictions.

A certificate was also sent to the company which showed he had been registered with the Protection of Vulnerable Groups scheme in 2018.

Glasgow Sheriff Court (Image: Newsquest)

Miss Terrance added: "He also provided a copy of a false electricity bill in the Mamoudou Dieye name with an address where Nwaka resided."

Nwaka worked night shifts at the care home between September 2020 and February 2021 when he resigned.

Nwaka was tasked with the "general care and well-being of residents."

Meantime, Nwaka had also submitted a false CV and French passport to the recruitment company ASA.

He presented a card issued by the Scottish Social Services Council that he was approved to work in social care.

A false letter from the Department of Work and Pensions, a national security number as well as the Disclose Scotland certificates were entered into the online portal.

Nwaka received temporary work with ASA in September 2020 at Home Care Group in the city's Drumchapel.

Miss Terrance said: "There is no suggestion that any of the care that Nwaka provided was sub-standard or that there were any disciplinary issues during the course of his employment he obtained through false pretences."

Nwaka's home was raided by immigration officers in March 2021 following a warrant being granted.

The false French passport as well as a bogus Maltese passport was recovered.

He was later quizzed by officers before being charged.