UK conman pockets 1/2 million in cash

Mary sends us a link to a story in the UK’s Daily Mail about 51-year-old Christopher Copeland who set up collection stations for “Help For Heroes” veteran charity outside of supermarkets from 2010 to 2011 and racked in over a-half-million bucks in donations that went straight into his pockets;

The teams would use Copeland’s fleet of ex-military vehicles, in Help for Heroes livery, and encourage shoppers to put money into charity buckets.

They then handed the cash over to ‘greedy’ Copeland, of mid Devon, who transferred it into his personal bank accounts.

Exeter Crown Court heard the scam took place between February 1, 2010, and September 17, 2011, when Copeland was arrested.

He admitted one charge of fraud by false representation and a charge of concealing criminal property, relating to the stolen donations.

Judge Philip Wassall adjourned the case for pre-sentence reports but warned Copeland he faced a ‘lengthy’ custodial sentence.

One of his minions became suspicious and blew him into the police;

Speaking outside court, a tearful Copeland apologised for his behaviour and said he would use his ‘life’s work’ to pay the money back.

‘I tried to do something that was really good and I messed up,’ he said. ‘I am very sorry. I would really, really like to make amends.

He’s “very sorry” that he got caught. The Help For Heroes charity for veterans is a legitimate organization, Copeland used their good name for his own purposes and greed.

Category: Phony Vet Charities