Police are appealing for witnesses and urging the public to remain vigilant after a student was defrauded of a large sum of cash during a counterfeit merchandise scam.
Around 4 p.m. yesterday a 20-year-old man left the Edinburgh Napier University Merchiston Campus when two men sitting within a white Audi A5 engaged him in conversation on Colinton Road.
During this exchange the pair showed the student a number of Giorgio Armani jackets and persuaded him to by four of them for an agreed fee.
The suspects drove the man to a bank branch on Lothian Road where he withdrew a four-figure sum of cash before returning him to the Merchiston area.
At this time the victim handed over the cash and was given four jackets before the men drove off.
After inspecting the garments it was found they were inferior quality and not genuine Armani clothing.
Officers are now conducting inquiries to trace those responsible and warning others not to fall victim to this fraudulent scheme.
The first suspect is described as being white with a tanned complexion, 5ft 8ins tall with a stocky build. He was wearing a sky blue suit, white shirt, red tie, black shoes and had a number of rings on his middle finger.
The second suspect is described as white with a tanned complexion, 5ft 8ins tall with a stocky build and wearing a blue suit and dark shirt.
Both men spoke with Italian accents.
Sergeant George Liddle from West End Police Station said: “When he realised he had not purchased genuine Armani jackets, the victim was left feeling humiliated and distressed and we are progressing our investigation to trace the suspects.
“Anyone who remembers seeing the white Audi A5, and its occupants, within the Merchiston area on Tuesday is asked to contact us immediately.
“At this time we are conducting inquiries to establish if these men were specifically trying to establish new students in the city and so I would urge all of those who have recently moved to Edinburgh for their studies to be wary of this scam or similar attempts to obtain large sums of cash from you.
“If you are approached in a similar manner to this then do not agree to pay for any such goods and report the matter to police.
“We have a range of advice and information to help keep students safe on our website and the public can access this by visiting www.scotland.police.uk
Those with information can contact Police Scotland on 101 or alternatively, the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
