A man in Derby, England, Henry Lyttel, was recently sentenced for his involvement in a fraudulent scheme related to fake military medals and poppy badges. The operation was described by Derbyshire County Council Trading Standards officers as “large scale” and “sophisticated.”
Lyttel, who operated under the company name Croft Militaria, profited by purchasing medal collections at auctions and then creating counterfeit medals to enhance their value. He also sold poppy badges that infringed upon a trademark held by the Royal British Legion.
Upon investigation, it was discovered that Lyttel had acquired medal collections belonging to military officers and proceeded to manufacture additional medals that were missing from the original sets. These forged items were chemically treated to give them an aged appearance, thus increasing their perceived worth.
One notable instance involved Lyttel adding a fake Distinguished Flying Cross medal to a collection he had bought for £320, subsequently listing the set for sale at a significantly inflated price of £2,500.
Aside from the fake medals, Lyttel’s unauthorized sale of poppy badges further compounded his fraudulent activities. The Royal British Legion confirmed that the badges he distributed had violated their trademark, resulting in financial gains of £72,000 from the counterfeit medals and an additional £10,000 from the poppy badges, all without any charitable contributions.
As a consequence of his actions, Lyttel was handed a two-year suspended sentence, mandated to complete 100 hours of unpaid work, and barred from serving as a company director for five years. Carol Hart, a representative from the county council, condemned his actions as “despicable” and “reprehensible.”
A spokesperson from the Royal British Legion expressed disappointment over individuals who exploit the public for personal gain at the expense of supporting the Armed Forces community. The organization emphasized the significance of their trademark, particularly in relation to the iconic two-petal poppy emblem, underscoring the importance of safeguarding their valuable assets.
Despite the conviction and sentencing of Lyttel, the case serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced in combating fraudulent practices that seek to exploit symbols of remembrance and military service. The incident highlights the need for continued vigilance in protecting the integrity of commemorative items and charitable initiatives intended to honor and support veterans.
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