RIP-OFF POPPIES FLOOD BRITAIN
Conmen fleece our war heroes
BRITAIN’S sickest swindlers were being hunted last night for exploiting the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day to flog fake poppy products.
Royal British Legion chiefs blasted the conmen for “defrauding” the public into making donations which they believed were helping the armed forces.
BRITAIN’S sickest swindlers were being hunted last night for exploiting the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day to flog fake poppy products.
Royal British Legion chiefs branded the conmen “appalling”.
They are fleecing the public out of money they thought they were donating to support the armed forces.
A raid on a warehouse in Manchester unearthed 1,700 bogus Remembrance Sunday products including pendants, earrings and badges.
Some read: “Lest We Forget.’’ Trading Standards chiefs were last night trying to track down the crooks.
Events nationwide next Sunday will mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the war which claimed up to 19million deaths and 40m casualties.
Yesterday the Royal British Legion warned the public only to buy products from official outlets.
Defraud
Director of fundraising Claire Rowcliffe said: “It is a sad fact that there are people who actively defraud the public in order to take funds intended for the support of our armed forces community.
“We want to make sure that it goes to supporting those who have made such a unique contribution to our society.
“For example, you can buy from one of our trusted volunteers, from The Royal British Legion’s online Poppy Shop or from one of our corporate partners.
The bogus poppy products were recovered in a swoop on a wholesaler in the Cheetham Hill district of Manchester.
A hunt to find the forgers is ongoing. Rabnawaz Akbar, the council’s executive member for neighbourhoods, said: “It is absolutely appalling that counterfeiters would sink to the depths of creating fake poppy merchandise to try to exploit the public’s desire to support members of our armed forces community.
“Our officers have confiscated a haul of these bogus products and will continue their investigations to get as many of these illegal copies off the streets as possible and prosecute those responsible.
“I encourage all Manchester residents to be vigilant and ensure that they are buying their poppies from official Royal British Legion vendors or the charity’s official websites to ensure their generous donations reach the people who deserve them.” ¬ POLICE are investigating after a poppy appeal collection tin was stolen from the lobby of the Central Methodist Church in Helston, Cornwall.
The Star Says: Page 6
A CABBIE has been sacked for reportedly refusing to take boxes of poppies to Aston Villa FC. It is claimed the Birmingham driver refused the job from Perry Common Royal British Legion Club. A spokesman for his firm said: “KMR Cars has the utmost respect for those who fought and put their lives on the line for all of us.”
CORONATION Street star Antony Cotton says he has heard “jaw-dropping stories” of bravery as part of his role as an ambassador for a military charity. The armed forces charity SSAFA patron, 43, said: “I’ve heard so many amazing stories of veterans yet we’re living in an age where people are obsessed with taking photographs of themselves in gym mirrors.”