Fake George Clooney Nabbed in Thailand for Hustling Bogus Fashion Line
Fake George Clooney Nabbed in Thailand for Hustling Bogus Fashion Line
An Italian man accused of posing as George Clooney to hawk clothes online was arrested with his wife in Thailand after years on the run. Francesco Galdelli, 58, and spouse Vanja Goffi, 45 dubbed the Italian Bonnie and Clyde were nabbed in a luxury villa following a joint operation by Interpol agents from Rome and Thai authorities. During interrogation, Francesco confessed to claiming to be George Clooney and opening a clothes business to trick people into sending money, a statement from Thailand's Crime Suppression Division said.
The case against the accused hoaxers stretches back years. Clooney testified against them in 2010, telling a Milan court that the pair and another accomplice used his name to sell a fashion line. The Oscar-winner said he never OK'd any affiliation with the bogus brand GC Exclusive by George Clooney. Authorities said the scammers duped investors out of more than $128,000. They were sentenced to eight years and four months in jail on fraud charges but fled. The couple has been wanted on an Interpol red notice since 2013. They've been in Thailand since 2014.
