Pirlo Sues Lookalike For Identity Theft

By Max Wise

A fraudster has been arrested and sued in Italy for taking advantage of his striking resemblance to former Italy international Andrea Pirlo to defraud people.

Pirlo has had the culprit arrested and sued after lodging a complaint with the police.

The fraudster, identified as 48-year-old Alessandro Palazzolo from the Italian town of Valenza pretended to be Pirlo for two years.

Palazzolo’s modus operandi was using Pirlo’s identity to con shopkeepers in Brescia, Naples and Turin by taking expensive designer clothes on credit without paying for them.

Palazzolo, who is a former goldsmith, also asked for discount on jewellery and worked together with an accomplice who took the items on his behalf for free.

Pirlo’s personal doctor was also contacted by Palazzolo to obtain ‘facilitated medical examination’.

Pirlo became aware of the development when he was persistently contacted by duped dealers demanding payment for items he had not purchased.

The 2006 world cup winner lodged a complaint with the Turin police, who facilitated investigation into the case and apprehended Palazzolo after studying his phone calls and getting testimonies from traders.

Andrea Pirlo is considered one of the greatest playmakers of his generation, having represented clubs including Inter Milan, AC Milan and Juventus.

Pirlo played a pivotal role as Italy overcame France on penalties to win the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany.

In addition to his world cup medal, Pirlo also won two UEFA Champions League titles with AC Milan as well as six Serie A titles; two with the Rossoneri and four with Juventus.