Fake Engineering Credentials Submitted in Redevelopment Project by Unlicensed Contractor
The Challenge
In 2025, Solstice Studio, a boutique design firm specializing in structural and architectural projects, faced a serious integrity breach. A contractor hired to support a major redevelopment project submitted design plans and technical specifications under the disguise of being a licensed engineer. The individual had presented fabricated documentation claiming active certification from a provincial regulatory body.
Concerns first arose when team members noted inconsistent formatting in submitted drawings and erratic communication patterns. A deeper review of the documentation revealed a suspicious registration number, which upon verification was found to be invalid. The impersonation had gone undetected during onboarding, as the firm had no centralized verification protocol for professional credentials.
Our Solution
We supported Solstice Studio in immediately terminating the engagement and reporting the incident to the licensing authority. All submitted work by the impersonator was audited for code compliance, and no structural errors were found, though the firm voluntarily paused the project to conduct a full review.
To prevent future incidents, we designed a credential validation workflow that linked directly with provincial and national registries. Contractor onboarding processes were centralized and moved to a secure portal where documentation is now validated before access is granted. Temporary access rights were also limited to non-sensitive systems until identity verification is complete.
The Value
Solstice managed to preserve client relationships and project timelines through transparency and swift corrective action. By owning the error and demonstrating a commitment to integrity, the firm avoided both legal consequences and public backlash.
The new controls implemented not only reduced fraud risk but also streamlined onboarding, improved team confidence, and reassured stakeholders that future projects would be handled with rigor and diligence.
Implementation Roadmap
- Revoke subcontractor access and notify stakeholders
- Conduct audit of deliverables for compliance
- Integrate certification checks into onboarding workflows
- Limit access to project systems until validation is complete
- Train project managers on fraud indicators and reporting steps
