The Armarni scam

[LONGGOOD BYE]

Why chase them and take a picture when all you have to do is say no and walk away,its not that big of a deal.

[Vento]

They where driving same way as me so wasnt actually chasing like that, when they exited the highway i went on to my destination.

Big deal or not, i don't like it...

[Dozza]

I now feel part of the gang

Just getting out of my car at Emaar Business Park when the Italian superstar pulls up behind me - Exact story as below, on his way to DXB airport this time though HAHA

When I said im a fat git (Pointing to my beer barrel) & Armani suits dont fit me he was kinda stuck for words...

Originally Posted by Vento

Just as a follow up.

Today outside ikea, a toyota rav stopped me just as i was entering my car, the guy said "excuse me, do you speak a little italiano." and i looked at the backseat of the car and they had 5-6 suits there.

I responded "ahhh you guys are the armani scammers" and he said "what????" and i said "i want to take a picture of your number plate..." and he was like "no nononono pleeeease...." and they left in a hurry.

I stayed at my car having a cigerette before driving, and after about 5 minutes they came back. This time i waved at them, sort of like "didnt i tell you guys to leave!!!!!!" and they quickly drove off.

Now i decided i wanted some pictures so i drove after them and actually managed to get a short movie of the number plate and a quick image of these guys. Unfortunaly not very good quality but i have it.

I know it is hard but sometimes you just gotta walk away. Especially if they are being persistent. They won't hurt you they just want to scam you.

[Georgie Burgess]

Today at Times Square. Fast talking Italian who doesn't leave a gap in the conversation. Started off with directions to the airport. Wanted to thank me for taking the time. 3 Suits and a Coat for the wife. If I wanted to repay him for his generosity, I could buy an iPhone for his wife in return. He put the suit on me. About 4 inches too short - 'that's how the Italians wear a suit'. He offered to contribute 500Dhs for the iPhone. The final clincher for me was that his car wasn't a hire car, although I must admit I was almost convinced. I told him I could accept his generosity, but wan't willing to buy an iPhone in return. He cleared off then

[Dozza]

They left me approx 3pm, so they must have bumped into you around 330pm??

Originally Posted by Georgie Burgess

Today at Times Square. Fast talking Italian who doesn't leave a gap in the conversation. Started off with directions to the airport. Wanted to thank me for taking the time. 3 Suits and a Coat for the wife. If I wanted to repay him for his generosity, I could buy an iPhone for his wife in return. He put the suit on me. About 4 inches too short - 'that's how the Italians wear a suit'. He offered to contribute 500Dhs for the iPhone. The final clincher for me was that his car wasn't a hire car, although I must admit I was almost convinced. I told him I could accept his generosity, but wan't willing to buy an iPhone in return. He cleared off then

[Georgie Burgess]

Originally Posted by Dozza

They left me approx 3pm, so they must have bumped into you around 330pm??

I think I was there about 230pm. He is a very hard worker. Doesn't even take a break

[creative4art]

Oh wow... what an interesting afternoon.

I almost got scammed by 2 Italian guys claiming to be Armani Designers here on a business meet at Burj Khalifa!
Pulled up in a Lexus, while I was getting some air into my tires and asked for directions to the Airport. Once that was over, they continued to have a conversation, and I was like being a nice guy, kept on with the small talk, shared business cards. Then they were like, we have some samples right now and can lend you some as a gift.

In my mind, I was rejoicing... business contact with Armani, free samples... can this day get any better! He pops the trunk, and there lies 4 "Custom" tailored suits claiming to be under Armani brand, cashmere material, blah blah thread count... pulls up an invoice saying the price of each suit is like 2500 Euros. Then he pops a white box, and says this is custom made for royalty... and opens up to show like a bath robe set for his and hers (1500 Euros). It looked beautiful! Almost heard angels singing when he opened the box.

So he handed like 2 suits and this huge white box to me, and was like you know keep them as gifts. I said OK (feeling glad of helping two tourists and walking away with 6000 Euros worth of stuff ) and about to walk back to my car, and he says ... All I will ask you is to buy an iPhone for my wife. DING DING! Bells rang. Angels stopped to sing, I came to my senses

Everything started to clear up. I took a second look at their business cards, and the Armani logo was pixelated and blurry, email address stated blahblah@christian.com (right... christian)... and the edges were poorly cut, black card with white cut marks. This can't be right. I started avoiding the conversation and said sorry I do not intend to spend anything at the moment! For crying out loud its the end of the month! Not a good time my dear!

So he begins to change his plan, takes away the suits, and says how much can you pay! I say 500! He agreed and said I can keep the robe as a gift. Further confirming my thoughts of it being a scam.

Disappointed, he taps on the car twice, partner opens the trunk from the passenger seat... absolutely no delay or confusion as to what the 2 taps were for... raises his hand in the air, talks some garbage in Italian (probably saying we are designers and you insult us by talking crap about our business cards ), and takes away the business cards and walks away!.

Man... the lengths to which these people went to get a few 100 or 1000 bucks.

Sad that it had to happen in a place like Dubai.

[Laowei]

i was outside Geant in IBN last week, guy was there in a Honda Accord. Felt in a good mood so hung around so he would approach me. Spent 20 mins going through the same spiel, whilst i nodded excitedly. finally agreed that i wouldnt get an iphone but would give him 2000dirhams. He seemed fine with that so i told him to wait while i go to ATM.

Went into the mail, a bit of shopping in Geant a quick bite to eat,some new sunglasses etc, When i came out he had gone. Some people have no patience.

[Gavtek]

I'm half tempted to buy a knock off iPhone from Dragonmart just to keep in my car in case I see one of them on my travels.