I was signaled during a traffic stop for directions by two Italian men. I couldn't understand their accent so we used sign language and eventually agreed to pull over next to a shopping center at South Common in Edmonton, Alberta.
These guys had thick Italian accents. The wanted directions to go to Calgary airport for a flight back to Italy. They were in an enterprise rental (Red Ford Escape SUV).
After giving them directions, they engaged me in a conversation about Italy and why there were in Edmonton. They told me they were here for a fashion show and after the show the attended the casino with some business clients and had run out of money at the casino. They told me they needed money to pay off the rental car and showed me a rental bill of $633.They also showed me some samples of "Armani leather Jackets", which were surplus samples from their fashion debut and even discussed opening an Armani store in Edmonton. They even showed me an Italian passport and their return tickets. They offered to give me the samples which they described as being worth about $2000 a piece if I could help them pay off their rental bill.
These guys were sharply dressed in Armani clothing and they looked really believable but I still had a few doubts so I called a friend over who had a bit of knowledge in Italian clothing. He was also engaged in the same conversation by these guys and we agreed to buy the clothes for $633 and help them pay off their rental.
The first Italians name was Alessandro Mateo and the second Italians name was Eduardo.
We all drove over to a Money Mart and I processed a money order for $633 with Eduardo's full name. I can't recall his last name but it's on record with money mart because I took his name down from his passport and wrote it on the money order.
We later found out the items were fake Armani Leather jackets. Their Label says A collezioni instead of Armani Collezioni.
I did one smart thing during all this drama but processing the payment through a money order and I managed to have both guys come with me to the store so their images are also on camera with the merchandise. The also cashed the money order I gave them right away from that same store so am sure there will be some record of these guys. I will be contacting police very soon and hopefully they get apprehended.
Inspector
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada
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