BEWARE ‘GOOD SAMARITAN’ CONMEN: WATCHDOG

Stopping to help a fellow driver? Beware the ‘Armani scam’

Criminals are flagging down motorists for help or to ask for directions, before trying to con them.

Oman’s consumer watchdog wants to hear from anyone approached by roving rogue traders who stop vehicles in the street under some pretence then try to sell drivers fake luxury goods.

Reports have been received of the scam being tried in Muscat, and the con is rife across the GCC.

One criminal, who drives a four-wheel vehicle with UAE licence plates, actually flashes motorists until they pull over then pulls in behind them before asking for help, claiming to be lost and trying to find the airport.

When the unsuspecting ‘Good Samaritan’ driver offers to help, the con artist, who claims he is Italian on a business trip to Oman and works for Armani, offers to give luxury suits by way of thanks, at a huge discount.

In reality, the goods are cheap and worthless and the Armani branding is fake.

Eyewitnesses have told Times of Oman that they were approached by a man with an Italian accent, claiming to offer authentic Armani goods for cheap prices after flagging them down on main highways, interior roads and shopping mall car parks around Muscat.

One Al-Khuwair based resident said: “I was driving out of a supermarket when I saw in my rear view mirror a white car flash its lights at me repeatedly and a small man waving at me to pull over.

“I did, as I thought there must be some issue with my car. I pulled over, and the driver of the other car approached my vehicle, claiming he wanted directions to the airport and was lost. After I told him I could show him the way if he followed my car, he gave me an Armani branded business card and said he would repay me with samples.>A7