BEWARE - fake leather jacket scam. Reportage

dianasnan

My husband had the same man approach him in Calcot, Berks in the middle oflast year with exactly the same story, my husband nearly phoned a relative who speaks Italian for a translator as he had difficulty understanding him. The fraudster must have been desperate (or my husband look really poor) as he only wanted £100.

daymo

Anthillmob wrote:

short message for those who said i was lying over the tv scam in tesco. are you going to now start abusing the op on this thread?

this goes to proove there are scams left right a centre and that some people are gullible.

Coming soon to reality tv.....When Urban myths go bad........:D
.
.
.you cant trust anyone these days.....

RoxsiScotland

its a shame you got scammed, but hey, at least your husband wont have to wear a dead animal on his back!

m00nie

tell him to do the same but ask for £300 that way he makes £40..

marleyboy

Im one of those guys who wouldnt dream of buying something that was offered to me in a local car park, to me its always been a case of, if someone approaches me to sell anything, theres a catch. If I want something, I will hunt for a bargain myself, not have it hunt for me.

Maisie

The Italian fraudster was in this area. Also mentioned on 3 counties radio.

OH was stopped by him in our street. Story about the fashion show etc. He fell for patter but only had £10 on him so paid that for coat. !!

Then couple of weeks later stopped for 2nd time (same bloke) who said he was looking for a friend in our area but he must have moved and then the fashion show and airport story.

OH didn't buy coat again!

(Wasn't for greed or selling on as a previous poster has said.)

tigerfirestorm

I must admit I have been taken in by this scam and only just this minute after about 2 years noticing the crack in the fake leather around the collar and coming to the realization after searching for the company nam eon the web.

Yes he was very convincing and well spoken italian and i paid around $300 for it. I cant help wondering if this might even been the same guy travelling the world and pulling off this scam to pay for hi holidays...

He - if i remember even flashed a lighter over the leather - but didnt hold it any one place - take note of this - as a demo if I remember...

I strongly suspect a fake leather odor is used either during manufacture or by the "salesman" to add...

That odor is now long faded and I had tried a lighter on it myself at one occasian and was puzzled but wasnt convinced it wasnt leather. Probably was the smell that convinced me and note that they may use a real piece of leather for the label under the collar.

After two years or so its vinyl nature is now obvious and the lining showed it poor quality soon after purchase.

Buyers beware - dont fall for this one but do for a real one like the one i mssed out on in Beunos Aries a REAL but thick and heavy long leather jacket for US$100 that I have always regretted not buying to this day - it would have lasted not a lifetime but ten lifetimes.

I think this must be one of the most effective scams the most easiest to fall for... nothing to be embarrassed about and I do know firmly remember him flashing a cigarrette lighter over it definately and of course the fake small, the real leather label he no doubt disingeniously showed me too to distract my scrutiny from the jacket material itself, perhaps this label was the item inpregnated with a fake leather smell as I am sure that synthesized fake leather odour is available or a good rub of leather soap might have the same effect...

Always apply a cigarrette lighter to suspect leather in the one spot for 3-5 seconds up close and then the con man get the benefit of a ruined fake jacket that they can no longer sell to another not necessarily unwitting sucker (as I think I have amply explained the scam and scammers incredible sophistication).

Ah well...

tigerfirestorm

Note the trade show, extra baggage surcharge, on the way to airport story (but no tthe taxi to airport) was identical...

Geesus this guy gets around doesnt he: I am in Sydney, Australia... ;-)

Backbiter

Got done like this in Rome a couple of years ago. He didn't ask for much money - around €50 for 2 jackets - but the patter was the same as above and he was very plausible. The jackets were, out of the wrapping, complete junk and we were well and truly scammed. All very embarrassing as my wife and I thought we were pretty street-wise!

isayoldchap

isayoldchap wrote: »

Next time and send it or take it to the police for them to follow up.Maybe a few stolen jackets to be recovered too

Can you adam and eve it, my father has just gone and bought one 12/03.Gave the bloke £30 for a rust coloured jacket.