Learner driver, 41, who spoke hardly any English cheated on her theory test by hiding a Bluetooth headset under a specially-made hijab so someone could tell her all the correct answers
- Hatice Sadir requested her questions be heard on tape in English at test centre
- Paid a ‘facilitator’ to listen in on the other end and then feed her the answers
- Exam officials grew suspicious when they realised how little English she spoke
- Admitted fraud and sentenced to 20 weeks’ jail, suspended for 12 months
By Sebastian Murphy-bates For Mailonline
Published: 08:10 EDT, 30 July 2019 | Updated: 10:12 EDT, 30 July 2019
Hatice Sadir (pictured leaving London Magistrates’ Court today) hid a bluetooth device under a headscarf
A learner driver who spoke little English tried to cheat on her theory test by hiding a Bluetooth headset under a specially made hijab, a court heard.
Hatice Sadir was fed the right answers but officials questioned her after the exam when they found the concealed device.
The 41-year-old Turk was caught out at the Southwark Theory Test Centre on January 9 last year, prosecutor Rajesh Pabary told City of London Magistrates’ Court.
‘A bluetooth receiver was found in her possession used for the purposes of fraud related to a driving theory test,’ he said.
‘One has to book a theory test on a specific date at the test centre and provide personal details such as email address, date of birth and address.
‘During the course of booking, a voice over can be booked in English or Welsh – if a person has difficulty reading they can request a voiceover.
‘They are given a set of headphones when they arrive at the centre and the questions are read aloud. The person attending is not allowed assistance during the test.’
Hatice Sadir admitted fraud at City of London Magistrates’ Court (pictured) after she had answers to the theory test fed to her
Sadir hid a bluetooth device under her headscarf to cheat on the exam at Southwark Theory Test Centre (pictured) in south London
After several cancellations Sadir’s theory test was scheduled at Southwark for 9 January 2018 and a ‘voice over’ was requested.
‘When she attended the centre she was wearing a big head scarf,’ said Mr Pabary. ‘She was recognised by a member of staff from two weeks before – on the previous occasion she was not wearing a headscarf.
How do Bluetooth cheats beat the driving theory test?
The driving theory test has two parts, the first of which involves a series of multiple choice questions about the Highway Code.
For example: You’ve been involved in an argument that has made you feel angry. What should you do before starting your journey?
- Open a window
- Turn on your radio
- Have an alcoholic drink
- Calm down
Other questions give you examples of common signs or road markings you might encounter while driving, or they may provide you with scenarios and ask you how you should react.
For the scam, the cheater has to use tiny Bluetooth earpieces linked to a hidden mobile phone. They can then hear someone from outside the test centre telling them information to help them pass the test.
The Bluetooth devices are generally hidden in glasses, headbands and hair-clips as they can be positioned over the ears with ease.
Test takers don’t usually wear headphones, but you are allowed to request them to complete the test with a voiceover if you have reading difficulties, so in some cases cheaters will use these to hide their Bluetooth device.
‘This, coupled with the fact that she spoke very little English, aroused suspicion. She answered the questions very fast and the test was successfully passed.’
After the test Sadir was confronted by staff, who searched her headscarf and found the Bluetooth device, City of London Magistrates’ court heard.
Mr Pabary explained that the bluetooth receiver connected her phone to a ‘facilitator who overhears the questions being read and then provides the answers. The usual fee for this type of service is between £400 and £800.’
Sadir admitted using the device to cheat on the test, but refused to reveal the identity of the facilitator.
‘She admitted she was provided a specifically adapted scarf and was going to pay £300 for the service,’ said Mr Pabary.
‘The test was booked some distance away from where she resided – this is usually done to avoid detection.
‘This offence deals with potential risk. Ms Sadir could have obtained a full UK driving licence.
‘If the device had not been found she would have gone on to take and potentially pass a practical test.
‘There is a risk to other road users from someone who does not understand the rules and regulations of the road.
‘It undermines the integrity of the test – people who use the UK roads expect to share the road with competent drivers.
Magistrate Jacqueline Jenkins told Sadir: ‘We see this as a serious matter and one that has passed the custody threshold.
‘However, since you pleaded guilty at the first opportunity, we will suspend the sentence for 12 months.’
Sadir, of Kidbrooke, southeast London, admitted fraud and was sentenced to 20 weeks jail suspended for 12 months. She was also ordered to pay £2,115 in costs.
‘Alarming’ cheaters are tying to beat the driving theory test by getting crooks to feed them answers through hidden Bluetooth earpieces
By Dianne Apen-Sadler For MailOnline
A driving theory test scam that involves cheaters using hidden Bluetooth headsets so they can be ‘fed’ answers has been slammed by a court after a kebab chef admitted cheating using the scam twice.
Turkish national Isa Yazgi, 23, admitted cheating in his theory test on two separate occasions at the North Staffordshire Justice Centre.
Yazgi was caught by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) using a Bluetooth device linked to a mobile phone to get the answers.
Turkish national Isa Yazgi, 23, admitted cheating in his driving theory test on two separate occasions by using Bluetooth headphones such as these (stock photo) to be fed the answers
His defending solicitor said the scam was set up by Turkish fraudsters in London, who Yazgi had agreed to pay £1,000 if he passed. Yazgi – who owns a Turkish driving licence but was after a UK one – admitted two charges of possessing or controlling an article for use in fraud.
The takeaway chef narrowly avoided jail and instead was slapped with 12-month community order and 180 hours unpaid work.
Yazgi, of Cobridge, Staffordshire, must also pay £185 court costs and an £85 victim surcharge.
The Bluetooth earpieces recommended by the London crooks can be very small and generally go undetected. Yazgi said that he was advised by ‘his Turkish community’ that the ‘best way to pass his theory was to arrange a Bluetooth cheat’.
The court heard another man that he knew had arranged with the London fraudsters for them both to cheat in the test.
He said he had not been able to get a mobile phone connection during the Chatham test, and therefore subsequently failed.
In 2016 the DVSA has investigated 467 cases of fraud using wireless technology – a rise of 52 per cent from 308 in 2015.
Since 2016, 50 people have been handed prison sentences for fraud during their theory test.
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