Police are warning Hayes publicans to watch out for a convicted fraudster.
Graham Eckerman, who often introduces himself by his middle name, Philip, claims to be a sergeant in the 'Royal Marine Commandos Special Services'.
He has sent out several letters around town asking for donations to make Christmas better for the children of seven of his former colleagues who were killed in action.
But according to a report in The Daily Record newspaper, the crack commando who claims to have killed 40 people and toured Afghanistan four times, is actually a catering worker from an Edinburgh housing estate.
Military sources say they have never heard of him and he is believed to have collected money several times for charities which never received it.
He was apparently jailed for six months in 2003 for obtaining cash by deception and again in 2005 for defrauding a bank of £985.
The landlord of The King's Arms in Coldharbour Lane, Hayes, who did not want to give his name, called the Gazette to raise the alert.
He said: "He came in a year ago and then vanished. Two weeks ago he returned and asked to rent a room, which I gave him along with a couple of shifts behind the bar.
"He set up two collecting tins for the Marines and kept going on about his military background.
"I ran his name through my computer and that's where I found out all about his con act.
"It really worried me to think what he is doing here."
Botwell ward councillor Janet Gardener (Lab) has posted a warning online telling people not to give any money to the appeal.
The information has also reached Hayes and Harlington MP John McDonnell (Lab) who said: "It is scandalous how people who prey on kind-hearted people in this way get away with it. I want to warn people to be extra vigilant."
Inspector Andy Jones, of Hillingdon Police, said: "There are stringent laws on charity collections and anyone doing so should have a photo ID badge with a charity number on it.
"If we have any complaints about this bogus collector they will be investigated and the person dealt with."
