The inspection sticker in on display on the elevators control panel along with the signature of the inspector. Tough to falsify that’s with your name on line.
“It was fine when I looked at it”
No doubt that the guy is taking a chance. But a guy that does something like this has been on the job for a few years and has inspected hundreds of elevators and never found a problem. He also knows that all of these buildings have maintenance contracts for their elevators. The maintenance companies also do periodic inspections of the elevators and also do preventative maintenance.
The guy makes an educated guess that he is never going to get caught.
I've noticed that they no longer put the 'inspection sticker/certificate' in the elevators. They have a sign that says "Inspection certificate on display in Building Manager's Office". Seems that they had problems with people stealing the certificate.