Luis
san diego,#2Author of original report
Thu, October 23, 2003
Attention News Editors: Peel Regional Police - Leather jacket scam MISSISSAUGA, ON, Oct. 8 /CNW/ - On Thursday, October 4, 2002, members of the Peel Regional Police arrested six Italian citizens in regards to a fake leather jacket scam. The accused are citizens of Italy who entered Canada for the purpose of committing frauds throughout the Greater Toronto Area during the last 10 months. Dressed in business suits and operating expensive rental vehicles, the accused approach individuals and initiate a conversation. The victim is conned into believing that the accused has extra Versace leather jackets from a trade show available for sale in the vehicles. Unbeknownst to the victim they are actually purchasing a synthetic jacket with counterfeit "Versace" buttons and hang tags. Detective Rod Jones stated, "This is a long term scam that utilizes numerous co-accused on an international basis. Everyone wants a deal and criminals that work scams utilize this to their benefit. Always remember that if the deal seems too good to be true it usually is." On Friday, October 5, 2002 a criminal code search warrant was executed by Peel Police at a Woodbridge, Ontario industrial unit. As a result of the warrant over 9000 fake leather jackets with counterfeit "Versace" trademarks were seized. The estimated loss to Versace is $14,200,000. Charged with Fraud and Passing Off is Vincenzo ESPOSITO, 43 years, Mario FERRARA, 39 years, Rino MANTOVAN, 38 years, Vincenzo BANDOLO, 26 years, Nunzio CONTIELLO 39 years, Vincenzo IOIME 32 years and a Canada Wide Warrant has been issued for Giovanni BANDOLO 61 years. -30- For further information: Contact: Cst. Stephen Rowe, Media Relations, (905) 453-2121 Ext. 4032; Archived images on this organization are available through CNW E-Pix at http://www.newswire.ca. Images are free to members of The Canadian Press. PEEL REGIONAL POLICE has 863 releases in this database.