The Daily Record has a new article up on the 'conmando,' the man who scams people by claiming to be a special forces Royal Marine Commando. Apparently, the girl (20) he lied to the most recently, who found out his lies just days before the wedding, has married him anyway. She claims he's a changed man.
"A CONMAN who posed as the leader of a crack anti-terror unit has married the girl he duped.
In 2004, the Record told how Graham Eckerman, 24, posed as a Royal Marine and told people he was on leave to raise £20,000 to send a pal's terminally ill son on holiday. Earlier this year, we also revealed how Eckerman made up tales of frontline heroics to hoodwink Edinburgh pubgoers into backing him on a sponsored hike and swim.
He even romanced Kayleigh Maben with his fantasies about heading a rescue unit of the Special Boat Service - and was dumped when she discovered his lies. But Kayleigh, 20, had a change of heart and agreed to marry the convicted fraudster in a small ceremony in Leith last month. Yesterday, Kayleigh said: "What's past is past - he's not the person he was and we're in love."
She added: "I've no fears he will be a danger to anyone ever again."
Catering worker Eckerman has a history of lying and, after his claim about his pal's son to people in Orkney, it emerged the Royal Marines had never heard of him. It came to light he had been jailed for six months over a similar con and that he'd been put on the sex offenders' register in 1999 for abusing a girl aged eight.
He carried out a £985 bank fraud with a stolen ID card in 2004 too, while American Maria Anderson, 34, was fooled into going out with him last year. After being rumbled, Eckerman, of County Durham, spun his customary yarn to Kayleigh, of Wester Hailes, Edinburgh, about being a commando.
He said his wife and daughter had been killed in a crash.
But now Kayleigh has taken Eckerman back. He said: "I know I took advantage of good-hearted people.
"I'm ashamed but I don't have any more secrets."
Hat tip to Maria, the American ex-girlfriend mentioned above who has been keeping me in the loop. She said in the email:
"It was an awful ordeal to go through, but I feel lucky that it wasn't worse. He even told me he wanted to marry me, like he told Kayleigh too, but I told him it was much too soon for me. I've learned and moved on with my life."
My thoughts and prayers are with Maria, and all others hurt by this deceitful man. I certainly hope that Kayleigh knows what she is doing. Royal is beyond himself with anger about this, about anyone who pretends to be a RM commando. His direct quote:
"It really pisses me off, because of all the training I had to go through, all the hard work to prove myself, and they just turn around and say it like it's nothing. Bastards."
The Royal Marines are great and deserve to be respected. Guys obviously pretend because chicks dig the danger, the tough guy, the sympathy. And you know what? They should dig it, because REAL Marines are that badass. I have proof. But you have to earn it. And Phil the faker didn't.
My initial 'conmando' post: Watch out for the 'conmando'
'Conmando' Update I: "I Was His American Girlfriend".
Newest Update - May 2010: 'Conmando' Caught. Again.
Poor deluded girls. And what a sleazeball he is.
Posted by: Pat | June 16, 2006 at 09:21 AM
I know, I wish there weren't people like him in the world to take advantage of the kindness of others.
Posted by: Kath | June 17, 2006 at 12:18 PM
FACT! I know 3 Royal Marines and have had the crap kicked out of me by 2 of them.
Posted by: BB | July 07, 2006 at 08:51 AM
Wow, that doesn't sound cool. The first thing that comes to mind is: was there alcohol involved? The second is: did you deserve it? :o) I'm sure not, you seem like a very nice guy.
Posted by: Kath | July 07, 2006 at 09:10 AM
All done in a friendly manner in the name of sport.
No alchohol involved, sadly, as it may have hurt less had I had some.
Posted by: BB | July 07, 2006 at 09:38 AM
I'm relieved!
"friendly manner in the name of sport" is something I hear a lot from the Marine - the latest? A game called "nerve ball" where (from what I understand) a couple guys line up and have to stand still while the other guys throw nerf balls at them. What can I say? Men...
Posted by: Kath | July 07, 2006 at 09:47 AM