George Clooney Impersonator Arrested In Thailand Following Fraud Scam
An Italian man accused of impersonating George Clooney to promote a fashion business has been apprehended in Thailand after years evading capture.
Francesco Galdeli, 58, had been wanted by Interpol since 2013. Clooney had sued the man in a 2010 trial in Italy saying he had fraudulently used his name but the man fled his homeland to avoid arrest and had been on the run ever since.
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According to local authorities, Galdeli was arrested on Saturday in a joint operation by Thai and Italian police on the outskirts of the Thai city of Pattaya. Also arrested was Vanja Goffi, 45, on suspicion of overstaying her visa.
“During interrogation, Francesco confessed to claiming to be George Clooney and opening a clothes business to trick people into sending money,” the news service AFP noted citing Thai police.
Galdeli is accused of other acts of fraud including selling fake Rolex watches online. The pair had reportedly been living in Thailand since 2014. An extradition process is expected.
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