Model ‘sewed designer labels into cheap clothes in TK Maxx returns scam’

A CHIHUAHUA-CARRYING woman sewed designer labels into high street clothing to claim fraudulent refunds, a court has heard.

Angelica Zabrodina, 48, who lives in London and describes herself as an “actor, model, influencer and photographer”, is alleged to have deployed a number of tactics to claim refunds she was not owed. The court heard how she printed out multiple receipts for online purchases and used the stubs to return different items after “badly” sewing in a designer label. Among the items she sought a refund for was a Dolce & Gabbana dress, it was said.

Amanda Hamilton, prosecuting, told jurors at Prospero House, that Ms Zabrodina carried out the alleged fraud between Oct 10 and Nov 8, 2018.

“Ms Zabrodina took items into various TK Maxx stores around London and she purported to be returning gen- uine items she had either bought from other stores or online, but what she had done is swap labels from other more expensive items or returned items of no value whatsoever, counterfeit items, and got the money back.”

Germaine Parry, a regional loss prevention officer for TK Maxx, said Ms Zabrodina defrauded the store out of a total of £1,236.96.

He said that she ripped out the original labels and sewed designer labels in their place, then tried to return the items to branches of TK Maxx, including Covent Garden and High Street Kensington.

The jury watched CCTV of an alleged incident in which Ms Zabrodina was carrying a Chihuahua in her bag.

Mr Parry told the jury she used store loopholes to print multiple receipts from online purchases to refund the same white dress twice.

“Ordinarily, when a customer refunds an item, they are given 28 days in terms of refunds,” said Mr Parry.

“Sometimes, customers who want to extend that policy refund it then buy it back to extend that refund.

“But what she refunded was not the same item she purchased.”

Ms Hamilton asked: “If someone has printed a receipt off online, can they just print out the receipts as they like?” He said: “I see no reason why not.” Ms Zabrodina, of Marylebone, denies fraud by false representation. The trial continues.