Thousands of pounds worth of fake poppies are being sold by online fraudsters who are pocketing 100 per cent of donations, it has been revealed.
Pin badges and brooches were on sale with descriptions saying ‘Lest We Forget’ and ‘Remembrance Day Red Poppy’.
One of the fake sites says it sells ‘suitable for Remembrance Day activities, soldiers, memorials, veterans…to honour the lives and memories of fallen soldiers’.
However, following an investigation by the Daily Express, it has been revealed that fraudsters are taking all the money donated from the counterfeit Remembrance Day merchandise.
Hundreds of items were listed for sale for prices between £3 and £5 on sites such as eBay, with one auction being tagged as ‘trending’.
One of the fake sites says it sells ‘suitable for Remembrance Day activities, soldiers, memorials, veterans…to honour the lives and memories of fallen soldiers’
Pin badges and brooches were on sale with descriptions saying ‘Lest We Forget’ and ‘Remembrance Day Red Poppy’
Hundreds of items were listed for sale for prices between £3 and £5 on sites such as eBay , with one auction being tagged as ‘trending’
One of the fake sites says it sells ‘suitable for Remembrance Day activities, soldiers, memorials, veterans…to honour the lives and memories of fallen soldiers’
Shadow Secretary of State for Defense James Cartlidge described the scam as ‘disgusting’ and slammed fraudsters for ‘exploiting’ Remembrance Day.
The investigation revealed that Border Force seized counterfeit poppies worth £25,500 last year.
In 2017, there was £150,000 worth of fake poppy merchandise seized at UK ports, including 1,212 scarves, 5,400 badges and 1,200 key rings.
Former MP and Royal Green Jackets Captain Tobias Ellwood called the fake poppy auctions as ‘sick and disturbing’.
He went on to urge eBay to investigate and close down any auctions profiteering of the Royal British Legion (RBL) brand.
When approached, one seller shipping to the UK from China where not able to confirm if proceedings went to RBL. While other Chinese sellers did not respond to claims made by the investigation.
The RBL has urged anyone looking to honour fallen soldiers to go their website to donate or visit legitimate poppy sellers who will take to the streets until November 11.
There is also a legitimate RBL page on eBay, called The Royal British Legion eBay Shop.
The RBL has urged anyone looking to honour fallen soldiers to go their website to donate or visit legitimate poppy sellers who will take to the streets until November 11
Every purchase through the RBL goes to charity, helping members or former members of the Armed Forces Community including those in the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force as well as the British Army.
An eBay spokesperson said: ‘Buyers who wish to support the Royal British Legion on eBay, should do so from its official store, to ensure that 100% of the proceeds go to the charity.
‘eBay works with the Royal British Legion as part of our Verified Rights Owner Programme (VeRO), which gives intellectual property owners like the Royal British Legion an easy way to report and remove listings that infringe on their rights.’
An Intellectual Property Office Spokesperson said: ‘We are able to confirm that the Royal British Legion have registered trade marks for variations of the petal poppy. This means that they may choose to take legal action against anyone they believe to be infringing these trade marks.
‘We publish guidance for business and consumers on what to do where they believe any type of counterfeit goods are being offered for sale.
‘This includes guidance on e-commerce platforms, and how people can report goods they believe may be counterfeit being offered for sale on these’.
MailOnline has approached Royal British Legion for comment.