The British Coastguard (MCGA) reports that a woman chartered a yacht on the south coast of England last summer. One of the conditions of charter was that she produce a valid MCA/RYA Yachtmaster certificate. She went to a page on Facebook where such a certificate was on display. The person then altered it, printed it off and presented it as a "photocopy" of the original. She told the charter company she did not carry the original as it could get lost.
The charterers were suspicious and contacted police. Having checked out the story, the police cautioned the woman under the Fraud Act and released without further action. The yacht had been returned undamaged and all fees due were paid in full. Any repeat of such an offence will put her in court.
The MCGA advise all mariners not to put their certificates on the Internet, and all charterers to insist on seeing the original documentation, where required.
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Wow, who would have thunk it? LOL, creative at least!
ReplyDelete~Rosemary
It is more rife than you imagine Guido. We had problems with catering staff forging City & Guild Certificates in Catering when I worked in the industry. All things are possible to some folks. Where there is a will there is often a way.
ReplyDeleteMind you...they usually get found out soon enough.
Jeanie
I am always amazed at the lengths people will go to, geesh.
ReplyDeleteLisa
They were very, very lucky that they were able to get their yacht returned undamaged.
ReplyDeleteSam