Reportage Clothing Co. Shopping Ctr. Parking Lot Rip-Off Newport Beach, Naples Italy

Tuesday, November 27, 2007, I was parked in a shopping ctr. parking lot, (Newport Beach, Ca.) talking on my cell phone, when a car with 2 young men parked next to me. They gave me a song and dance about losing lots of money while gambling in Las Vegas. They said they represented a new line of Armani clothing and were in the U.S. to attend trade shows. They said they were Italian from Naples and would like to give me some Leather jackets. (Reportage was the label on the garments.) They needed money to pay an airline change of flight fee. These 2 young men were smooth. I sort of half believed them, yet was very suspicious. I told them i didn't have any cash on me. They suggested i use my credit card to access an atm. After a lengthy conversation, and now possessing 3 fake leather jkts., I drove to a Wells Fargo bank in an adjoining shopping ctr. I had their passports photo copied, verified by a bank teller to be real italian passports, and even took their picture with my telephone camera. I gave them $400 knowing their was a good chance i'd never see the money again. (They did promise to return the money once they got home to Naples.) I got $400 worth of ribbing from my wife and brother-in-law (he now has a new fake leather jkt.)

Not surprised
Los Angeles, California
U.S.A.