FLAGGING FRAUD — Although the NWSA has multiple safeguards in place to ensure a secure testing environment and the use of allowable facial recognition, advanced security measures can identify fraudulent practices, as they have recently.
Several small but damaging black market schemes that exploit language barriers and circumvent certification requirements in the wireless infrastructure industry have been exposed. These schemes include producing fake safety training certificates and involve imposter test-takers attempting to take NWSA exams as proxies for undeserving candidates, according to the National Wireless Safety Alliance (NWSA).
In multiple TTT-1 offering posts, Ms. Akhmedeova will not publicly discuss the cost or the process for obtaining certification. (English translation)
One such promoter, Eliza Akhmedova of Boca Raton, FL, has been advertising on the mostly Russian language employment-centric Facebook group Tower Climbers USA since at least March, posting offers such as: “Let’s help with TTT-1! A guarantee of result. No upfront payment. Hit me up in the inbox.”
Offering an all-in-one package, she says, “Don’t miss the opportunity to enter a demanded [SIC] profession with a complete package of documents at an affordable price.”
Notably, her public Facebook profile lists DoorDash as her employer, raising immediate doubts about her qualifications to administer such certifications.
While Akhmedova refuses to disclose her full fee schedule for obtaining TTT-1 credentials online, she says it’s negotiable. However, she has openly offered OSHA 30 certifications for $200 and OSHA 10 certifications for $100—rates that far undercut the cost of legitimate, authorized training.
Wireless Estimator has identified that the schemes uncovered by NWSA involved fraudulent Telecommunications Tower Technician 1 (TTT-1) certifications, required by mobile carriers and tower owners, from individuals posing as legitimate test-takers. These individuals would take the rigorous, proctored NWSA certification exams on behalf of non-English-speaking clients.
The advertised ‘guarantee of result’ was revocation
According to NWSA Executive Director Duane MacEntee, the NWSA recently detected a small number of imposters taking exams for illegitimate candidates, but NWSA’s integrity systems promptly flagged the fraud.
“As mandated under the ISO/IEC 17024 standard and as accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board, NWSA must maintain and enforce examination security and integrity. A significant part of NWSA’s Program Integrity and Ethics & Discipline effort includes detection of cheating on exams and elimination of any fraudulent use of its trade certifications,” explained MacEntee.
“Using enhanced security monitoring technology embedded in the administration process, NWSA was able to pinpoint and eliminate the issue quickly. The individuals involved have been disciplined in accordance with NWSA’s ethics and discipline policy with revocation of their certifications and a permanent ban from any future participation in the NWSA certification program,” he said.
TOWER TECH STARTER KIT – Fraudulent certifications, starting at $20, are being offered in package deals. (English translation)
The NWSA TTT-1 certification process is intentionally rigorous. Candidates must successfully complete an online exam under strict protocols—no speaking, no materials, no off-camera movement—with enhanced security monitoring in place to prevent fraud.
These rules, however, can present a hurdle for non-English speakers, many of whom work on tower crews but lack fluency in the language. While honest candidates are actively pursuing certification through proper channels, a couple of dozen turned to illegal shortcuts, creating a shadow market for impersonated testing.
With major carriers requiring a certified percentage of all crew members and NWSA’s credentials becoming increasingly mandatory, the stakes are high. The organization’s response sends a clear message: attempting to cheat the system will result in permanent disqualification.
The growing crackdown on credentialing exam impersonation
In high-risk industries where safety certifications can mean the difference between life and death, credentialing fraud isn’t just unethical—it’s potentially criminal. A growing concern across the construction, telecommunications, crane operation, and heavy equipment sectors is the rise of individuals impersonating others to take certification exams.
Whether motivated by the pressure to secure a job quickly or to bypass rigorous training, some individuals have turned to fraudulent surrogates to take exams intended to test their knowledge and competence. The consequences, however, are anything but worth it.
Credentialing fraud often involves impersonation, identity fraud, and conspiracy, and these are not just internal policy violations. In many jurisdictions, these acts are considered criminal offenses that can result in misdemeanor or felony charges, particularly when the resulting certification is tied to employment on publicly funded or safety-critical projects.
Prosecutors can pursue charges of forgery, wire fraud, or violations of the False Claims Act if the fraud impacts federal or state contracts.
Additionally, both the impersonator and the individual who benefits from the fraud can be held jointly liable. Civil lawsuits may follow, particularly if an unqualified individual causes harm or damages after gaining employment by using falsified credentials.
The contractor could be easily sued or charged with a criminal action
If an employer hires a worker claiming to hold a TTT-1 certification, they should be able to quickly assess whether that individual possesses the hands-on skills, safety awareness, and technical knowledge required to pass such a rigorous exam.
A legitimate TTT-1 credential represents a verified level of competence; if the worker lacks this ability, it should raise immediate red flags. Ignoring those signs and continuing to place an unqualified individual on a crew, especially in high-risk environments, could expose the employer to severe liability. In the event of an accident or fatality, the employer may face not only civil lawsuits but also potential criminal charges for negligence or willful misconduct.
