So this guy comes along asking for directions to the airport. He is driving a black sports car with a nice suit and has an Italian accent. Claims to work for a clothing company and is in town for a clothing convention. Wanted to get a present for his son but has no cards that work in the US so he was asking for enough cash for an 64 gig Ipodtouch. He had 4 jackets that have a 13% tax if he brought them back with him to Italy. Claims in total it would cost him 2000 total so he offered an exchange for helping him with his son. I fell for it hook and sinker after he brought up his son and he told me you can trade in the clothes for store credit So I figured I could at least get the money back that I gave him for his son. It turns out A collezioni has no stores. I got screwd out of $300 and it is apparently an old scam. Do not fall for this trick. Learn from my mistake if you can.
Sincerly, Koji
#2Author of original report
Wed, September 07, 2016
YOu dah best keep up the good work. Your helpful comments have really made my day. You told me good.
Robert
Irvine,#3Consumer Comment
Wed, September 07, 2016
You can try and convince yourself that it was because of his son, but the reality is that you saw dollar signs.
Now, are you totally at fault..no. These people rely on people's greed and willingness to ignore several red flags.
Wanted to get a present for his son but has no cards that work in the US so he was asking for enough cash for an 64 gig Ipodtouch
- Really? So without any cards that work in the US how did he rent his car or get a Hotel Room? As both of those REQUIRE a valid credit card in the person's name? Just how did he pay for his food while he was here?
He had 4 jackets that have a 13% tax if he brought them back with him to Italy. Claims in total it would cost him 2000 total so he offered an exchange for helping him with his son.
- So if we figure the $2000 is AFTER the tax that means they would be worth about $1800, yet he was so desparate to get an iPod Touch that he was willing to sell you them for $300 or only about 15% of the cost. You are actually very lucky this was a scam, because they could have just as well have been stolen goods and no judge would believe that you didn't know you were receiving stolen goods. After all what legitimate business man would sell something out of the back of the car for a fraction of the cost in cash.
I fell for it hook and sinker after he brought up his son and he told me you can trade in the clothes for store credit So I figured I could at least get the money back that I gave him for his son.
- Actually it probably went more like this. He gave you a very inflated amount(perhaps the $1800) and said in a round about way that if you give him $300 you could still get $1800 in "credit". Now, it may not be the exact numbers but I bet that this isn't that far off.
Now, I will give you a positive. The jackets aren't totally worthless and you may be able to recover a portion of your money. However as a warning since you seem to not be totally aware of scams, if you get an offer for the jacket(s) only deal locally. DO NOT accept any sort of cashiers check or money orders, especially if they send you a check for more than the amount and want you to cash the check and then send the extra back.