'DISGRACEFUL!" ONLINE POPPY APPEAL RIP-OFF

ONLINE fraudsters are ripping off the Royal British Legion's annual appeal by selling thousands of pounds worth of fake poppies.

- Richard Ashmore

Our investigation found scammers are offering realistic Remembrance Day merchandise but pocketing 100% of the income.

Brooches include mottos such as "Remembrance Day Red Poppy" and "Lest We Forget".

Bragged

One sales site even bragged that its fake wares were "suitable for Remembrance Day activities, soldiers, memorials, veterans...to honour the lives and memories of fallen soldiers".

Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge blasted the ripoff merchants as "disgraceful".

The MP commented that people who buy items relating to the Remembrance commemorations "should always check that the proceeds are going to the Royal British Legion or other British charities".

Border Force staff last year seized £25,500 worth of counterfeit poppies.

While fake merchandise valued at £150,000 that was picked up at UK ports included 1,212 scarves, some 5,400 badges and 1,200 key rings in 2017.

South Suffolk MP Mr Cartlidge continued: "The festival of Remembrance is when we honour those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country...the last thing anyone should be doing is exploiting it."

When the Daily Express checked online listings for poppies, hundreds of items were recorded as having sold for between £3 and £5 a time, with one auction marked as "trending".