A cunning fraudster attempted to exploit the public's grief and reverence for the monarch.

This audacious scam is a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance when navigating the online marketplace.

Dru Marshall, a 26-year-old from Romsey, posed as a Senior Footman at Windsor Castle and listed an 'antler walking stick' on eBay, claiming it had belonged to the Queen in her final years.

He alleged that the Queen had used it ‘as she struggled with her mobility’, and he further claimed that the proceeds from the sale would be donated to Cancer Research UK.

Dru Marshall conned several eBay users with a fake Royal item. Credit: Freepik

The bids for the supposed royal relic had reached a staggering £540 ($1027 AUD) when Marshall abruptly closed the listing. His hasty retreat was prompted by the discovery that Thames Valley Police were investigating his fraudulent activities.

Despite the mounting evidence against him, Marshall pleaded not guilty to fraud by false representation.

He initially dismissed the scam as a tasteless joke, later changing his story to claim it was a social experiment designed to gauge public interest.

However, the prosecution was able to dismantle Marshall's ever-shifting defence using comprehensive computer evidence.

They debunked his claim that a friend in Spain had hacked his account, revealing Marshall's online search history, which included terms such as 'the Queen' and 'how to delete an eBay listing'.

Julie Macey, Senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS Wessex, condemned Marshall's actions, stating, 'Dru Marshall used the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to try and hoodwink the public with a fake charity auction—fuelled by greed and a desire for attention.'

Marshall's scheme was ultimately thwarted before he could successfully con any unsuspecting victims.

He was sentenced to a 12-month Community Order at Southampton Magistrates Court on Monday, 8 January.

In addition to completing 40 hours of unpaid work, Marshall was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £114 ($217 AUD) and £500 ($950 AUD) in costs.

Scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated and difficult to spot.

In a recent story, a scam was circulating on social media platforms to target travellers, pretending to be associated with Sydney’s Kingsford Smith Airport.

The scam was convincing with the accompanying image to make it look legitimate. You can read more about this story here.

If you suspect a listing is fraudulent, report it to the platform and local authorities by reporting to Scamwatch here.

You can also post at our Scam Watch forum so other members can stay informed.

Key Takeaways

• Dru Marshall, 26, attempted to scam eBay users by pretending to sell a walking stick he falsely claimed had belonged to the late Queen Elizabeth II.
• Bids for the fake walking stick reached £540 ($1027 AUD) before the listing was hastily closed due to a police investigation.
• The fraudster's changing defence and search history revealed on his computer led to his conviction, proving his intent to defraud potential buyers.
• Marshall was sentenced at Southampton Magistrates Court to a 12-month Community Order, including 40 hours of unpaid work and fines.

Have you ever encountered an eBay scam? Share your experiences and tips for avoiding online fraud in the comments below. Let's help each other stay safe in the digital marketplace.

 

[Mr Chips]

I am told that prisoners in the UK were/are very loyal to Queen Elizabeth II so chuck this piece of human garbage in with them for a couple of days and if he gets out see if he does it again? I think not.