Police are appealing for potential victims of a fraudster who posed as an Italian fashion designer to come forward.

The man would target students and often strike up conversation by asking for directions for directions to an airport. He would then thank the students and offer them clothing that he had ‘designed’. After gaining their trust, he would ask for money, sometimes claiming he had been the victim of a robbery, and promising to pay them back when he got back to Italy. However, once the cash was handed over, no victim was ever paid back.

Detective Inspector James Allsopp from Central North Command Unit which covers Islington and Camden where some of the students were targeted said:

“We are appealing to members of the pubic in particular university students who may have been targeted in similar circumstances. The offences took place between Tuesday, 6 February and Saturday, 2 March – if you think you may have met this man and been defrauded, please come forward to police by calling 101 and quoting CAD3410/04MAR24.”

A 39-year-old man was arrested on Sunday, 3 March and has been charged with five counts of fraud by false representation and one count of robbery – he has been remanded in custody to next appear at Wood Green Crown Court on Monday, 8 April.