Airport Scam

Posted by: Letters to Editor in Uncategorised  on Jan 27, 2009 Print 

A couple of years ago you ran a story about a con man cadging money at the airport. I think it was a well-presented guy who asked for a couple of hundred euros for a taxi. Last week I was caught at the airport by a character who sold me some story about not having euros for changing his ticket because he had missed his plane to Newcastle the previous day and needed 18 euros. Well, it sounded a reasonable story and I was sympathetic if it was a genuine case. I was in a bit of a rush for the plane so I gave him 20 euros and asked him to write down his address and email. Well this chap was a bit of a nerdish character, about late 30s, and he seemed able to give an address without hesitation so I gave it a 50/50 chance of being genuine and 20 euros wasn’t a lot.


In case he was genuine and wanted to repay me I tried the email address which was a yahoo address – and I got an “undeliverable address” reply. So the odds on him being genuine decreased to about twenty to one and I thought I’d try the street address in County Durham. I did get a reply by phone, but it was from the occupier who said that the guy was a fraudster and they kept getting mail like mine as it was his father’s old address who had sold the house about 8 years ago. The guy, Andrew Gradon, apparently went about Europe using the same scam and was wanted by Interpol.


I expect the guy has moved on from Nice by now – but it’s not a bad scam if you can use it a dozen times a day and the amounts involved are not such that anyone is going to do much about it. But it is the sort of thing which Riviera Reporter readers should be aware of.


The trouble is that if someone genuinely needs a small sum to get back home and finds that everyone is a hard-hearted cynic, it would be a very cruel world.


R.W., by email


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written by Saleem Ismail , 17 February 2009
I was also cheated by Andrew Gradon on 17. February 2009 at Prag airport. This person used the same story. He said that he missed the flight to fly back to the Midlands and he needed 380.00 Czech Krones (about 18?) to get his Easy Jet flight rebooked. I gave him 400 Czech Krones so that he could have some extra money to buy water. He said that he had no money left and would like to have some help. We excahanged our email address. His address was also a Yahoo.com address and it was undeliverable.
Well, I guess, these cheating methods do leave a bad taste in the mouth of not trusting anyone in the matter of money. But by doing so, if you do really avoid someone who is in real need, then you are going to have a guilty feeling. I had that feeling in me which told me "DONT" but I simply ignored my gut feeling and I fell for this cheap trick. I guess this thought me one more time a lesson, NEVER TO HELP ANYONE IN NEED.
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written by JK , 26 March 2009
Same for me in Frankfurt. I guess he pays his tickets to various places by cheating people. And I nhope he goes to hell since he closes the door for people who really are in need.

jk
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written by RS , 24 April 2009
The same happened to me in Frankfort on March 24th. The Name he gave me was Andrew David Gradon with an address in Durham. The amount was 35 Euros for the flight back to UK. Of coarse the mail to andrewgradon@yahoo.com was undeliverable. However I will not really stop helping people but probably try to be more prudent.
RS
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written by Peter H. , 28 April 2009
Same to me at Cologne airport on 3rd of April 2009. I gave 70 Euros. I was in a hurry, came from Munich, it was late in the evening and I had sympathy with this guy. I sent a test mail to his mail address via my BlackBerry and the mail didn't return. Now I'm rich with an additional bad experience.
BR Peter
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written by Lutz Sommerfeld , 30 April 2009
Hallo, ich habe ihm auch 43.-- euro für ein Flugticket nach London gegeben, weil er seinen Flug verpaßt hat, und die Umbuchung 80.-- euro gekostet hätte und er nur noch 37.-- hatte und seine Kreditkarte erst am nächsten Tag wieder funktionieren würde. Ich hoffe, die Polizei findet ihn vor mir. Wer weitere Infos hat, bitte 01626720771
Lutz Sommerfeld

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I too gave him 43 euros for a ticket to London, because he had missed his flight and as he said that rebooking it would cost 80 euros when he only had 37 and as his credit card wouldn't work again until the next day. I hope the police find him before I do. Whoever might have more information, please call 01626720771
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written by Jörg Rohnke , 11 May 2009
"catch me if you can"?
alias Andrew David Gradon was at Hanover Airport on May 6th 2009. The same story. I gave 30?.

We are able to catch him with this platform? So let us try to find out "Andrews" next airport.
My number: 401743020500

JR

PS: I like helping people. Hope I will not stopping this attitude for future (true) situation.
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written by Mike Meade , 11 May 2009
Jôrg, that's a nice thought but I fear it is impossible.

1/ He always deals in cash so where is the proof that would stand up in court?

2/ He operates in several countries so which country would you prosecute in?

3/ Would anyone spend the time and expense to testify against him for such a small amount? The individual amounts are so small that the legal expenses to get him would be greater than the losses.

4/ Catch him under what name? We don't even know his real name or country of residence or anything else about him for that matter.

5/ If the police got on to him he'd just start using a different name. Maybe he does so already. We don't even have a photo of him so maybe there is a gang of "Andrew Gradons"?

6/ Even if convicted on a charge or 2 what would the possible sentence be for conning people out of 20 or 30 euros? A fine? If he has no bank account in the country where he is condemned it would be difficult and expensive to collect and certainly not be disuasive.

The best thing is to keep tracking him so that others are warned.
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written by enja roggelin , 13 May 2009
I had the same experience May, 11th 2009 with Andrew David Gradon at the Airport Hamburg. I gave him 32 Euro.
I saw his passport with the passportnumber 462162143. Perhaps Interpol can find him with this number.?
If you need any Infos, my mobile number 01773378762
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written by Mike Meade , 13 May 2009
enja, what nationality was his passport? We have had reports that he is Dutch, and others that he is British.
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written by enja roggelin , 13 May 2009
Hello Mike,I´m sorry, I didn´t check the nationality of the passport. Andrew Gradon told me he is british, so I believed that his Passport is a british one without looking for the nationality.He spoke english very well.
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written by robin , 13 May 2009
The guy get's around ... I was squared at Bremen airport on May 11. Same story. Wanted to get a flight to Stanstead by Ryan Air a day ahead and wanted 27 Euro.
I gave him 20 and considered it my "good deed of the day"
He seemed rather trustworthy ... really don't know what I'll do next time someone asks me for money.
Robin
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written by Mike Meade , 13 May 2009
You almost have to admire Mr Andrew Gradon. He only hits people for small amounts. There are several advantages to that.

Nobody would take legal action for 20 or 30 euros. And nowhere would a small claims court take seriously such a paltry amount for any one claimant. A group action would mean that people would have to travel from all over the place to testify. Forget it.

People part with such small sums easier than bigger amounts so he probably can hit quite a few "pigeons" (sorry guys!) in a day.

But it adds up. If he can hit 5 people an hour for an average of 20 euros each, he's bringing in 100 euros an hour. So even if he only "works" 2 hours a day, he has a monthly income of 6000 euros... tax free!

Moving countries helps cover his tracks. Seems like he's in Germany at the moment. Will be interesting to see where he turns up next.
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written by MikeP , 13 May 2009
Sooner or later I hope he runs into someone whom he's scammed, in a dark alleyway. Sadly I missed my chance to give him a kicking when he tried to scam me at Nice Airport (if it's the same guy).

People like him are despicable because they take advantage of the generosity and abuse the trust of others. I suppose it can be argued that he is not beating up little old ladies but this is a cowardly crime.
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written by Peter , 19 May 2009
Andrew David Gradon was at Frankfurt Airport on May 18th 2009. The same story ... but he needed money for two tickets (he and his girlfriend) from Frankfurt Airport to Frankfurt/Hahn to catch a Ryan Air flight ...

To all: If you can check the mail address / telephone number with your mobile - an we all live in a well connected world.

Hope that helps,
Peter
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written by Peter , 19 May 2009
forgot something: the Passport seems to be British
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written by V.P.Hagen , 05 June 2009
This is just great! I gave the guy Euro 50.oo at Hamburg Airport on Wednesday, 13. May 2009 3pm to get back to England with German Wings. He gave me his email adress as well but like all the others I never heard of him again. I hope one of the security cameras will make a photo of this guy and he is caught one day. Just feel sorry for all the people who really are in trouble and won't get help from any of the cheated ones.
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written by Richard Wilson , 16 June 2009
Good to see there is a trail of Andrew Gradon sightings being reported - though of course one feels sorry for those who have been scammed- is he our local Lord Lucan?
Hope he isn't a spoil sport and starts to use another name.
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written by MikeP , 20 June 2009
Here's another scam. The bogus charity collectors, three rather pushy African men, having finally been kicked out of Carrefour car park, are now plying their dubious trade in the car park just outside the walls of Old Antibes, opposite the port, near the archway where the Elephant Bleu etc are located.

I happened to see a Police Municipale and he confirmed that, in his words : "On a des soucis .....". I'm not quite sure if that means they're keeping an eye on them.
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written by Peter G. Berlin , 20 June 2009
Andrew Gradon, hopefully falls on his face soon, has played his scam in Berlin Tegel airport today 20.06.09. Same story, same name and 28 Euro. Probably not much we can do, but I really wish he gets what he deserves. A deep kick in his a.. would be a good start.
Nevertheless we should not stop helping people who are in a true trouble situation.
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written by Mike Meade , 21 June 2009
Bogus charity collectors are as old as the world and MikeP is right to suggest caution. We all know there are national collection days for charities like the Red Cross and RBL (Poppy Day) but the legitimate collectors are easy to spot.

Except for those two I never give in the street or on my doorstep (not that that seems to happen any more). I choose my charities based upon personal preferences without outside influence or canvassing and send in my donation for which I usually get a receipt for tax purposes (yes you can!).

The surest way not to get money out of me is to ask for it!
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written by MikeP , 21 June 2009
Asking me for money in the street reduces the chance of me giving to about 0.5%. Having three pushy, verging on aggressive, Africans surrounding me and waving filthy pieces of paper on clipboards reduced that to 0% and made me go and find a policeman so that someone less gullible or more timorous doesn't give money to these vultures preying off peoples' kindness.

Charity scammers, along with Russian love scammers, are the lowest form of pondlife. Oh, and politicians come very close!
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written by MikeP , 21 June 2009
Oops ... it pays to proofread ... or I'm not thinking very cleary this early in the day.

Should be :

"so that someone more gullible or timorous ...."

(Excuse : I got up at 5.30 this morning to go to the airport, where I didn't spot Mr. Gradon)
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written by Mike Meade , 21 June 2009
Gradon seems to be "working" only in Germany at the moment but if anyone spots him back at Nice Airport I'd like to know about it. My camera is ready and waiting.
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written by CPM , 23 June 2009
Prague airport on June 4th. Exactly the same character as described by RW at the top of the thread. Geordie accent so I'm sure he was from Durham. Intersting why he continues to use the same name. ASked for 360CZK - I gave him 500!
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written by Mike Meade , 23 June 2009
I'm beginning to wonder if there isn't more than one of these guys using the same name. He seems to be as ubiquitous as "Kilroy was here".

Also wonder what he would say if one of his victims said he'd get the handout but only if he posed for a picture....
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written by US , 29 July 2009
gave 40 Euros at Frankfurt Airport, yesterday morning, 28th of July. Will report to the police tomorrow. There are cameras all over the place. It should be possible to get him.
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written by MikeP , 31 July 2009
Mr. Gradon's little scam pales into insignificance compared to this :

Tourists Targeted by Police in Bangkok Airport Scam

http://nestmannblog.sovereignsociety.com/2009/07/tourists-targeted-by-police-in-bangkok-airport-scam.html
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written by Jake Blues , 04 August 2009
Met this fellow yesterday at Cologne Airport at around 2200. Good story, Hardrock Festival, missed plane to Newcastle, has to be home by the next day because of his job and so on! Silly me gave him ?40.-. But I travel a lot in germany and with some luck I meet this fellow again.
Anyway, hats off for this way of making a living! not a bad idea!
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written by Jake Blues , 04 August 2009
in addition to my previous comment:
Mr. Gradon has some sort of tribal ring-tattoo on one of his fingers!
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written by U.S. , 05 August 2009
Called the German police what to do. There is quite a high chance to find him due to CCTV. BUT according to German law they are only allowed to keep the video tape for 48 hours.
Jake, if your still in Cologne, go there an check the tapes. As soon they have a picture of him they can find him!! And you are right, I do remember his ring tattoo.
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written by MikeP , 05 August 2009
Calling the police is fine but has an offence actually been committed? What he is doing is despiccable and immoral, but legally, if he asks for money, albeit under false pretences, and people are naive enough to hand it over, has he broken any laws?

I'd be inclined to take him round the back and 'help' him on his way ... not with money ....!
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written by Niels , 12 August 2009
Was at Amsterdam airport today.. also gave him 40 euro... i was feeling bad for the guy and im not going bankrupt by it. But its annoying me.

Same guy with the tattoo on his finger and the f*ckedup teeth. What a looser
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written by heinrich , 24 August 2009
Auch ich aergere mich sehr, der Bursche hat mich am Flughafen Koeln/Bonn um 32 ? erleichtert, der muss gestoppt werden!Der naechste hat vielleicht ein ernstes Problem und bekommt keine Hilfe mehr.

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I'm also really annoyed, the guy had approached me for 32 Euros at Cologne/Bonn airport, he must be stopped! Someone else may have a genuine problem and not get any help.
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written by Heinrich T. , 05 September 2009
Das ist wirklich unglaublich.
Mich hat der Typ am 4.9.09 um 19.00 Uhr vor dem Frankfurter Flughafen angesprochen und mir erzählt, dass sein Kreditkarte gesperrt wäre und er seine Maschine nach Manchester verpasst hätte.
Im fehlen 38,00 Euro für ein Ticket.
Ich habe ihm 40,00 Euro gegeben und als Gegenwert seine Email-adresse bekommen.

Wenn es nicht so traurig und so abgezockt wäre, müßte ich fast darüber lachen.

Aber wie heißt es so schön "man sieht sich zweimal im Leben"!

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This is really unbelievable.
This guy also spoke to me on 4.9.09 at 19.00 o'clock in front of the Frankfurt airport and told me that his credit card was blocked and he had missed his plane to Manchester.
He was short of 38.00 Euro for a ticket.
I gave him 40.00 euros, and in return I'd get his email address.
If it weren't so sad and such a rip off, I'd almost laugh at it.
But how well the saying goes "one looks at oneself twice in life"!
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written by jax , 14 September 2009
Airport Düsseldorf 13.09.2009 11:24

Same story. Paid 25 Euro for his scam.
At least I got a picture of his passport. Maybe it will help the airport police to get rid of this guy.
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written by Janie , 18 September 2009
Reihe mich in die Serie der "Dummen" ein - gestern abend (17.09.2009), Flughafen Köln/Bonn. In meinem Fall fehlten ihm 42 EUR (inflationsbedingt mußte er seine Tarife wohl erhöhen). Ich gab ihm 50 EUR.

Über mich selbst ärgere ich mich und muß auch gleichzeitig lachen. Nur - bei mir bekommt keiner mehr einen Cent. Möglicherweise trifft's dann auch jemanden, der wirklich in Not ist. :-((

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It's my turn to be amongst the "stupid" ones - last night (17.09.2009), Cologne/Bonn airport. In my case, he was short of 42 EUR (inflation meant his fare would also increase). I gave him 50 Euros.
I'm annoyed at myself and must also laugh at the same time. But - nobody will get another cent from me. It's possibly true that someone else might be really in need. :-( (
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written by Martin , 23 October 2009
Hi everybody,

latest news about Andrew Gradon: Yesterday (22nd of october 2009) he asked me at Lyon airport for EUR 40,- because he missed his flight and had not enough money to buy a new ticket. As he grabbed me just at the entrance to the X-rays I "helped" him. Once in the lounge I wanted to check his address on the net via my Blackberry and found this site - frustrating. So I called the ploice, explained the situation and gave the a description of the guy. They wanted to check on the cameras if they've got something. Anyway: as nobody can proof nothing against him (cash, no traces etc.) he'll continue his sad way. Too bad that honest people in REAL difficulties will get less help the day they need it :-(
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written by Martin , 23 October 2009
Hi everybody! He got me yesterday at the Lyon airport, just at the entrance to the x-rays: He missed his flight, has not enough cash to buy a new ticket for EUR 75,- so I helped him with EUR 40,-. Once I passed through the x-rays I tried to check his name and address on the net via my Blackberry and found THIS site. Not amusing! I called the police, explained the situation and they promised to check the cameras in the airport. As I had to board I don't know what came out of this investigation. Anyway: there is no prove for a crime (cash) and in the worst case he could tell to pay me back when he'll arrive at home ... The sad thing is that the day a person is really in trouble and needs some money I might struggle to help ... :-(
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written by Ruediger , 25 October 2009
The guy told me the same story at the Airport Lyon on 23 October 2009. I gave him 45 Euro and he promised to pay it back after arriving in Durhan. The email adress he gave me was andrewgradon@yahoo.com. This adress does not exist and the phone number he gave me was also not his own.
I am always ready to help people in trouble. But this guy destroys people's willingness to do so in future. I wish that he finds with his next victim the guy who will stop him - regardless how.
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written by Joseph Bates , 26 October 2009
I am flying through Lyon St Ex this week. I'd love to catch a glimpse of Andrew Gradon. Maybe even confront him and see if he hits me for some cash.

What does he look like (age, hair colour, dress). What sort of people does he approach - tourists or business travellers like me? What tiome of day does he operate? always mornings or evenings or what?

JB
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written by Phil Ryan , 01 November 2009
I gave him 40 Euros last Monday 26 Oct 09 at about 18.30 at Lyon airport. I was travelling on business, was waiting at the Car Hire bus stop (on my own) but trying to catch up with my colleague who had got the bus before, so in a hurry, and I gave him the benefit of the doubt.
I thought it was a British passport. I would say that he was slightly built, about 5' 9", late 30's and cropped hair.
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written by Dave , 05 November 2009
I gave him 50 at Nice Airport the other day: can't we get him via the passport number?
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written by Bjoern , 06 November 2009
Different airport...same story. He get 30 ? from me on 01. november at Marseilles Provence Airport.
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written by nick dragon , 08 December 2009
So sorry to hear of your run-ins with this guy,there is always somebody trying it on.
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written by David Lind , 08 January 2010
I got a phone call from an Italian friend this evening from Catania airport in Sicily (18:00hrs 08 Jan 2010) asking me if I thought that a story of a guy wanting ?32 for a Ryan Air flight back to the UK sounded credible. Since my friend didn't speak good English he put me on to ... you guessed it ... Andrew Gradon. andrewgradon@yahoo.com who claimed to be a chef working at the Red Lion in Plawsworth. His Geordy accent seemed to get stronger the more he spoke. Anyway - thanks to your website and all these messages I was able to warn my friend off. Thanks very much to you all!
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written by Elaine Bruce , 01 February 2010
Myself and boyfriend were coming home from Barcelona yesterday 30th January 2010 and got stopped by a guy with luggage on a trolley saying that he had came to the wrong airport for his flight and had to go to Girona airport. It wasn't clear to us at first that he was looking for money he just seemed to be annoyed at himself then he slipped in at the end that he was stuck for the ?18 bus fare to get to Girona. Straight away we thought scam and told him we had no money, felt a bit bad in case he was genuine but after Reading this site I'm sure it was just a scam he was English and he targeted us in a quiet part of the airport late at night saying he wold give us his e mail address....
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written by wolfgang , 02 February 2010
same story, frankfurt airport, sunday,january 31st.
he showed his passport to me, noticed the adress,phone
number and e-mail mentioned in the comments above.

he "needed" 36 euros for his "rebooked" flight to manchester.

i hope it for him that he will not meet me again,
but i'm very often at european airports. i'm prepared to engage...
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written by MikeP , 03 February 2010
Whilst it's always hard to understand the motives of others, I can't help but wonder what exactly this person, if it is only one person, is up to.

Hanging around airports is no fun - trust me, I've done enough of it although not for the same reasons as Matey - and neither is travelling by air these days. So quite why someone should spend their time skulking around airports to eke out a few Euros to get from one place where he doesn't want to be, to another where he won't want to be for very long, via a third rate cut price airline, is beyond my understanding.

It also raises the questions of where does he sleep, how does he eat, and is he making any money out of this scam? Is it the same person in these various sightings?

What is the point of this? What is the meaning of life? I just wondered if anyone has any ideas. Answers to be accompanied by a cheque for ?24 please as I need a ticket home and my credit card doesn't work since I used it to scrape the frost off a car windscreen the other day. I will of course pay you back in full. My email address is .......
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written by uwe , 04 February 2010
gleiche Storry diesmal am Flughafen Berlin-Schönefeld am 12.06.2009 = 30 euros

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Same story, this time at Berlin-Schönefeld airport on 12.06.2009 = 30 euros
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written by Mike Meade , 04 February 2010
For anyone who can receive BBC1 NE&Cumbria (Channel 975 on Sky) there is an investigative piece on Gradon to be broadcast on Monday Feb 8 at 19H30 UK time.
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written by TONY , 08 February 2010
I understand everyones frustrations but what is this person doing, I have read the paper article, I don't think he is making a living from it, I think this young man is drifting round Europe a little like a begger but on a European scale, he seems not to be gready just takes enough to survive, he has a formula that works, he probably does use his real name, and probably is British and from the north east, so ask yourself why does he not lie about his identity, ask yourselves something dosn't add up I do believe this person does need help of some kind, I do believe he has been lucky so far and his luck will run out its a law of averages, he will bump into someone he has taken money from, but there are worse crimes in this world take a minute and think, this you man probably has a sad past or is running from something.
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written by Scott , 09 February 2010
Here's the BBC iPlayer "Inside Out" episode featuring the report on this may. Anyone on a UK or Ireland IP address will be able to watch this:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00qr1v4/Inside_Out_North_East_and_Cumbria_08_02_2010/

Cheers
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written by Jens , 09 February 2010
Gleiche Story am 1.2. in Köln. Hatte glücklicherweise nur 20 Euro dabei, hätte ihm sonst wohl auch die "fehlenden" 42 Euro gegeben....
Er müsste eigentlich auch als Schauspieler sein Geld verdienen können. Hat er schon gut gemacht, aber wie ich hier gelesen habe, hat er ja auch lange genug geübt. ..

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Same story, Cologne airport on February 1. Fortunately I only had 20 euros on me, otherwise he'd have had the "needed" 42 euros ....
He really ought to also earn his money as an actor. He's done very well, but as I've read it here, he's been also practicing long enough.
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written by Kay Hanns , 10 February 2010
Gradon again in Cologne airport, Feb.4th, evening. Good story missed plane, no credit card working must go back to work in UK with girlfriend, asked for 42,- ?.
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written by Singing Cigale , 11 February 2010
Just scanning through the various posts and noticed Neils comments last August re the tatooed ring motive and the f*cked up teeth. This must be an occupational trait as Friend Gill (see up to their gills) suffers the same facial disfigurement. Is he moonlighting at European airports?
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written by Riviera Reporter , 11 February 2010
Gill and Gradon are not the same person. We know that Gradon has been in another country on the same day Gill was up to one of his his hijinks on the Riviera.

BTW, things seem to have gone rather silent on the Gill front. Maybe he's left the region?
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written by Singing Cigale , 11 February 2010
Re Gill, fraid not, Still threatening E-Mails bouncing around. Personal experience
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written by Heinrich T. , 18 February 2010
Hello everyone,

I caught Andrew David Gradon today at Frankfurt airport and handed him over to the police.

Whoever may want to press criminal charges, or would like more information, you can contact the police at Frankfurt airport.

(Details as below)

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Hallo Leute,

ich habe heute am Frankfurter Flughafen Andrew David Gradon geschnappt und der Polizei übergeben.

Wer Strafanzeige stellen will oder Informationen benötigt, kann sich an die Polizeidienststelle am Frankfurter Flughafen wenden.

Polizeipräsidium Frankfurt am Main
Polizeidirektion Flughafen
19. Polizeirevier (Flughafen)
Flughafen, Airportring
60549 Frankfurt am Main
Telefon: 069 / 75 51-19 00
Telefax: 069 / 75 51-19 09
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written by heinrichvv , 19 February 2010
Firstly, hearty congratulations. I suppose we'll hear no more stories about him then, will we? Will the prosecutors then act on their own or do they need more criminal complaints?

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Endlich, herzlichen Glückwunsch, dann werden wir ja wohl keine neuen Geschichten mehr über ihn hören, oder? Wird die Staatsanwaltschaft da selber tätig oder brauchen die weitere Strafanzeigen?
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written by Heinrich T. , 19 February 2010
Leider sind in Frankfurt sämtliche Anzeigen auf nicht aktuell gesetzt worden, da nach 3 Monaten die oder der Täter als nicht ermittelbar eingestuft werden.

Ich habe eine neue Anzeige gegen Ihn aufgegeben, damit das Strafverfahren wieder in Gang kommt.

So wie ich die Polizei verstanden habe, ist es von Vorteil, wenn man sich noch einmal meldet.

Die Telefonnummer zum Nachfragen habe ich weiter oben ja mit angegeben.

P.S. Als ich ihn mir geschnappt habe, hat er wirklich lautstark nach der Polizei gerufen, da er sich von mir als ungerechtfertigt festgehalten fühlte.

Mal sehen wieviel ich von meinen 40,00 Euro wieder zurück bekomme! Ich tippe mal auf Null!!
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written by andrew gradon , 19 February 2010
well just to put a thing write yes there is only one andrew david gradon . i am from durham your chances of catching me paid of last night on my birthday but dont be to happy im free to conctinue as i am one step ahead it is not a police matter it is a civil mateer i live in hotels all differnt i travel the world and engoy it i know its not correct but i speak 7 langueges and dont work for people who want pay good wages i have lived in all these countries i have been to so i know all the laws there and as some of your comments have said the law to catch me has to be very expensive so the only way to get your money back is to win the lottery good luck
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written by Heinrich T. , 19 February 2010
I'm glad you are free and not in jail.
So it's much easier for you to leave this city.
Next time we don't need police.
I promise you, I'll watching out for you!
See you next time!
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written by reinhard w , 19 February 2010
He is very free. I just did the same trick with me at Frankfurt airport. Maybe that was the lesson I had to learn.
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written by andrewgradon , 22 February 2010
well ive had time to read all your mails . some of your letters are write of track let me explain myself to your wondering. the money i make gets me by . no i dont make 15000pounds a month i make just enough to live on like the rest of you .i dont hang around airports all the time it takes me about 20 minuets to make 200euros and i dont travel by plane so that is why there is no camara recording of me and believe me you are the lucky ones becouse there are drugs rapists bank robbers out there . i choise my life like you chice your life and no i dont have a sad past quite the oppisite i was brought up on restraunts in ibiza whent to good schools and had good friends .then i dicided to travel the world will i was young and just cant get out of the habit . if i really wasnted to make a good living out of it i certainly would up my money . and most people can afford it its not like your out of gobs . people every day give money for hope look at the church biggest beggers in the world .so next time i ask someone for money atlest i know he can afford it and its not going to bankrupt him .if you have not been asleep for so long and woke up to realiety maybe this would have not happened to you
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written by andy from the BBC , 22 February 2010
Hi Andrew,
You're no doubt aware we made a feature recently about your trip round Europe for the BBC's Inside Out programme. We wanted to speak to you and get your side of the story and this is still a possibility as we are recapping some of our recent stories in the next two weeks.
We were interested as to why you do what you do and would really like to hear from you. How about doing a quick interview over the telephone with us?
Many thanks, Andy (producer, BBC Inside Out)
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written by andrewgradon , 22 February 2010
well i think if i gave you an interview and an insight into what i did you would need someone to start writing a book becouse its been over 17 years since i started ive been to about 38 countries not counting england its a little hard to get stuck in england when your english so if you put yuor contact number up i might concider it as im getting over a hang over from my birthday
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written by andrewgradon , 22 February 2010
ps and no i wasnt awere of the web sites and the reports until the man at frankfurt on the 18 feb mentioned it .i was quite suprised no one had mentioned it before actually
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written by responseregradon , 22 February 2010
This man disgusts me. He says he went to good schools and had good friends but they obviously didn't help him become a good person.

He is a parasite living off people's goodwill, trust and generosity. He somehow justifies his pathetic existence with warped logic but the fact is that he is a common thief.

What difference does it make that his victims "can afford it" and its small amounts? Every time somebody falls for his scam the altruistic nature of decent people is eroded a little bit and that can only be bad news. He throws a stone into the pool and the ripples continue to spread out.

People like Gradon deprive genuinely needy people from the help of a good samaritan as, once caught out, kind souls are not going to be taken for a mug a second time.

The workshy piece of scum should go and get a job and make an honest living like normal people.

One thought, isn't it possible to have a poster campaign at these airports, concentrated in car parks, luggage trolleys, lounges etc e.g. "Beware of this Man"? Or get Easyjet, Ryanair, German Wings to put a piece on their website?
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written by andrewgradon , 22 February 2010
nice letter for a start if there was poster campaings what would change i can change the way i look the way i dress the way i speak change my stories change the places where i make money plus i have never been work shy it just doesnt pay to work these days everything goes on tax and what do you work for nothing sitting in a house all week watching telly and been brain washed parasite nice word people should use it more .at least i get out and move my arse becouse you have one life and live it becouse who really knows what after death . ps if you think im the only one going around scaming at the airports there is a lot more than me and believe me its one of the small scams i know about what about time share been there and done it .i used to make 10000grand every month till mr palmer got banged up .look do remember roger cook even he missed me coiuld catch us at calaise when we used to do the lines ciggerets beer runs till all the refuges started coming .and these are the people that are ripping of countreies through claiming of you so no im just one take a look around and look whats going on its only going to get worse becouse there is more people comming in this world in an already messed up worl
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written by MikeP , 23 February 2010
The above reply by responseregradon sums up what any normal and intelligent person with morals would think of someone like Gradon. Clearly Gradon has no morals, education or intelligence. He might think he is smart to have got away with serial theft for so long, but he's devious, and immoral, that does not equate with smart. You only have to read his illiterate and incoherent ramblings to work out that he's a dimwit with no education.

Sadly the police will probably do very little about this, but sooner or later Gradon will run into someone who will give him what he deserves. Now his face and tactics are known it can only be a matter of time before he gets what's coming to him. Meantime I hope he is looking over his shoulder and sleeping uneasily at night.
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written by Harry , 23 February 2010
MikeP, I don't think that the police will "do very little about this". It's that they can't. I know a few French police nationale and they'd only be too happy to nab him, but for what? Taken one by one, his "crimes" aren't enough to hold him for more than a few minutes.

That seems to be what happened in Germany too. If I understand what Heinrich and Reinhard wrote above, he was conning people later the same day in the same airport he was arrested in!

Will someone catch up with him? Probably not as he has been getting away with it for 17 years by his own admission.

I watched the BBC exposé and the portait they had of him shows he is missing a front tooth. Maybe someone has already caught up with him. It doesn't seem to have slowed him down though.
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written by andy from the BBC , 23 February 2010
Hi Andrew - you can reach me on 44 191 244 1299 that's my office number. Leave me a message if I don't get it and I'll ring you back.
I can't do much with your number in terms of finding you so it's little risk to you. Your story is fascinating clearly, many would say not for the right reasons, but if it wasnt we wouldn't have made a programme about you.
Hope to hear from you soon - if we include an interview with you in our series we'd need to speak to you by the middle of next week at the very latest.

Andy
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written by andy from the BBC , 23 February 2010
Also Andrew - who's 'Mr Palmer'? Were you cigarette smuggling at the time?
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written by Harry , 23 February 2010
To see what Gradon looks like, it's here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/chrisjackson/2010/02/final_call_for_airport_conman.html

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written by andy from the BBC , 23 February 2010
I'm aware of the John Palmer story, but not your connection with it. I'm all ears if you'd like to talk to about it (in confidence if you like) If not, then your story has little chance of being heard Andrew. Would be good to have a chat.
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written by andrewgradon , 23 February 2010
ps just found the photo your way of that looks like im 23 man to the bbc i would like to know where i stand on this essiue i went to the passport agency the other day and wanted to reissue it as its only valid for one year and they said i had to pay another 143 euros but in durham when they put the ristrction on siad i had paid for 10 years and could renew it any time so im i being scammed here or not becouse im sure im not the only one who has lost or had a paasport stolen abroad becouse if they keep putting restrictions on them for ten years that means im going to pay about 1423 euros which is out of oder and thats our goverment so how many people out there have paid over the odds allready
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written by andrewgradon , 24 February 2010
to mike p well if you think im not intelligent how many people do you know who can speak read and write thrre languages and speak another four with about five dialects on top and i have motor machanis city guild 7061 cattering and olso make hand made jewellery tought myself to drive in calaise from all the dumped cars that were left from beer runners know how to move from country to country without be traced in till its to late and if someone does catch up with me then its pure luck .ps and no i dont drive any more becouse i do have morals but maybe not your morals as everyone has differnt morals being a dim wit well how many dimwits do you know like this propably only one and thats you becouse you dont think before you write poeple like you just think of the first thing that comes into mind . and asbout looking behind me well there are 30 million business men in europe so it works out if i ask about 5000 every year at differnt places whats the odds on that .but knowing people like mr p he probably would need a calculator.ps and no i dont think it would be a good idea to talk to you as in a couple of years im going to write my own book then change my name by depoll .simply dont want to disapoint you but i think i will sell my own story and not somebody else ..that goes out to the reporter .well winters nearly finished hope you have a good spring and enjoy it as i will be somewhere warm for the next couple of weeks. ps this web sites great it keeps me even another step ahead so carefull what you write it might be of use to me ps my email address still works and always has
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written by andrewgradon , 24 February 2010
psandi dont know anthing about barcelona as i havent been to spain since 1999
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written by andy from the BBC , 24 February 2010
Hi Andrew,
I'm having to finish my stories this week, why not phone me tomorrow to do a quick interview. I really think you deserve the chance to explain to everyone. I'm not sure what you mean by Barcelona, we never mentioned it in our piece. However I'm aware you've been in Alicante in the last year.
Many thanks
Andy
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written by responseregradon , 24 February 2010
Mr Gradon certainly CANNOT write English that's for sure. Never seen so many spelling mistakes!
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written by andrerwgradon , 24 February 2010
well didint start writting english till i was tweelve as i was in a spanish school always picking out the faults ps im scertain i was not in alicante last year as i was in italy swiss and germany cezch and belgium and france and denmark but not in spain as i only go to spain to see my sister .and spain nots very good for working either
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written by nick dragon , 24 February 2010
Hola Andres,how is it going,it is your friendly gardening friend who got you out of Hmaburg,we now have a baby girl,her name is Cora,born on the 9th of Feb,so if you have any spare money send some over,as the next time you need rescuing I may not be as quick,ha ha ha,we will be in Geneva on the 11th of August until the 15th of August at the Hotel Intercontinental ,I have free mini-bar so pop by for a drink and meet your niece.Ask for Senor Dragon,the Russians will know who you want,or is it the Poles,I can`t remember,Dobre nots.
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written by MikeP , 25 February 2010
Gradon, or should I say Walter Mitty : You are only fooling yourself.
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written by andrewgradon , 25 February 2010
might be difficult but we will get round it some how
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written by andrewgradon , 25 February 2010
well for everyone concerned i just found out the the rules about thepassport . you oly have to pay if your passport was issed after the first aoril 2008 if it was issued before please be sure to mention it as they have to renew it for the rest of the time ps to el dragon como se yama hombre ? and hope everythings ok ill get touch in the next couple of days as i have to change my phone first
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written by andy from the BBC , 25 February 2010
Hi Andrew,
No problems I understand your point of view. What I would say however, is that you have little chance of getting a book published. Your story is interesting, but small-time cons are unfortunately pretty common. Our programme will, I suspect, be the only time anyone will take much of an interest in this and now it has been aired it will all be forgotten about pretty quickly.

You can still call me if you want to have a chat - 44 191 244 1299. But I'd need to hear from you asap.

Many thanks,

Andy
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written by David Gradon , 25 February 2010
"well just to put a thing write yes there is only one andrew david gradon"

----- are you using that name as an alias or is that your real name? Because my brother whose from Surrey, is called Andrew David Gradon and i have to admit i am suspicious that you have adopted my brothers name as your own. If not, are you any relation to Sophie Gradon (miss GB)
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written by andrewgradon , 25 February 2010
well ive certainly got a valid passport and if you dont believe it you can always chech the birth registry office or contact fyndoune comp at sacriston county durham and never heard of a sophie gradon before .fathers side of family from usher moor [gradons] and mothers from chilton [richardsons] having a realy strange week .well there are some other gradons in sacriston aswell but never met them as they lived on another estate but i think his namewas billy . ps andy of bbc the bookis the suprise you see becouse thats where things get intresting becouse its just not about small connig . and everything that will be writen has a back up.its a bit like the book of gommora from naples . ps its not writen for the money its writen for people who in the future want to travel the exciting way and how to do it many ways .ps like being brougth up with famus people [terry thomas ] example . like being the biggest scunk dealer in paris at the time of the world cup and blowing in two months in clubbing
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written by andrewgradon , 25 February 2010
well mr wolfgang sorry to disapoint you but im thinking maybe it could of been someone else as i was in rome over chrismas and new year.
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written by MikeP , 25 February 2010
Dear Walter Mitty/Andrew Gradon

It is a pity your ability to express yourself is so poor, because your book would be highly entertaining in the way that only a cheap trashy airport novel can be. You obviously live in a world of fantasy - have you been smoking that skunk a bit too much?

There aren't a lot of criminals who write their own confessions, you could join the ranks of the terminally stupid. You might even get away with it because I doubt if the police could make sense of your unpunctuated and incoherent ramblings.

By the way your Spanish is as pathetic as your English, you murder both languages.

If you'd like a ghost writer to write your book for you, please let me know, but I'd require payment up front, in full, in cash, and I'd take the notes to the Reserve Bank to make sure they were real. I'd also count my fingers and wash my hands after being anywhere near you. On second thoughts, I wouldn't take money from you, as being in possession of stolen property is a criminal offence.
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written by andrewgradon , 26 February 2010
well mr mike p thinks its all about spelling who cares how i spell only you o nice to see the banks have just give your money away again even though thiers bust but dont worry im sure some of them will be parting with it pretty soon. so mr p go and play with palmand here five dauthers over that well want be writting for a while as the stike is over bussy bussy bussy
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written by andrewgradon , 26 February 2010
ps to david gradon did your brother take the money from peter no it was me see there are two believe it not and your not probably the only david gradon in the world either
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written by MikeP , 26 February 2010
Gradon : First of all I said nothing about spelling, I said you were unable to express yourself and that your ramblings were incoherent and lacked punctuation, although since you mentioned it, your spelling is abysmal too. Remember that what you write, and your reputation, are what people judge you by, and the way you write indicates someone who lacks education, pride, and intelligence, which is what one might expect of a petty con-man.

You probably think you're up there with the likes of Bernard Madoff, but he went for the big time and of course got bust big time too. At least he was good at what he did and deserves some admiration for that. You are just a petty amateur at the game.

Finally, I'm able to express myself without resorting to childish personal insults. My comments about you are based on what we all know and can see. I don't need to lower myself to your level.
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written by nick dragon , 26 February 2010
To ,M P.So you think that Madoff,Made-off would be more APT,should be admired,perhaps you should ask the children of his victims who committed,such suicide,all for money ,such a shame,as Madoff would never have been able to spend it all,pure evil and greedy,I hope he gets what he deserves in his plush little cell,perhaps we should have a collection,send money to Madoff is gonna get it where the sun don't shine,what is his cell-mates name?So think about what comments are made as there are always victims,Andrew Gradon is just small fry,our politicians continually rip us all off and we do nothing,perhaps our priorities are forgotten when one is not a victim?
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written by responseregradon , 26 February 2010
People might be interested to know that "nick dragon" is actually one Colin Gradon (don't blame him for the name change...) so the message purporting not to know AG that well is rubbish!

He is a gardener who performs the oh-so-useful job of covering up graffiti in Ibiza in his spare time which only serves to stir up the perps and get them doing even more graffiti! Nothing better to do mate? Bit sad that. Anyway here's a photo if anyone's interested which they probably aren't.

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk...-22454564/


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written by andrewgradon , 26 February 2010
ps if he was good at what he did how come at the end he has nothing and in jail and lower yourself to what level you should live in india where cast systems still exsist .and whats wrong with people trying to doing graffiti .simply doesnt look nice anywhere and costs a fortune to remove .should do what they do in france and give areas to do it legally.and also you nossy twat it was just my brother trying to tell me i was a uncle .be over there very soon as swiss is out of my programe.god got some nossy people out there arent there probably one of those computer freaks you never see .
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written by responseregradon , 26 February 2010
"Nossy twat" here! How sad that your brother has to post a message on a forum relating to your criminal activities to tell you that you are an uncle. Couldn't he have emailed or phoned you instead?

Also a bit rich you going on about graffiti e.g. "doesn't look nice" and "costs a fortune to remove". How can you be moralistic about people leaving graffiti when you "make a living" out of robbing people?

I think you must live in some parallel universe, perhaps seeing yourself as some modern day Robin Hood the only difference being you don't give the money to the poor.

And only starting to write English when you were 12 is no excuse for your illiterate ramblings, no excuse at all. What about people who only start to learn a foreign language at high school then go on to take degrees and become fluent, reading and writing it as good as a native speaker?
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written by andrewgradon , 26 February 2010
thaths the problem if people start to learn languages or read or write them in their teens dont go on to study them latter nit wit and only 0.7% of english speak a second languege as they think everybody should speak english . and about my ramblings bet your one of those people who likes graffiti ps so you be3lieve in myths do you well for start robin hood didnt exsist or do you still believe in fairy tales .ps most people who are gaing their degrees at uni are foriengners or havent you noticed . 80% of languege studens are foreing or even more . ps all of down pub lad having right laugh man say slow and get the meaning .col you shouldnt of put nice in message
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written by andrewgradon , 26 February 2010
ps probably dont even know what a twat is do you . and i was waiting for the day when all of this was going to blow out of proportions . but maybe people are pissed of and hard to see the other side as you live by certain rules .cant see how far this is going to go as in a couple of years this will still be going on by or someone else doing the same thing .so what i cant understand is why someone would want to interview a small con man when there are a lot of bigger fish out there .ps only sold the scunk didnt smoke it .taking drugs and doing what im doing dont go well together .you got to keep a clear head for my job mate .have an answer for every question trown at you and if your high people notice that straight away .ps how can any one of you sit there and critisis anything about someone you met for 40 seconds and think in them 40 seconds what was really going on .at the end of the day im the one sitting here with all your data about bank accounts and codes .start worrying whats go going to happen next as 80% of these are millionars accounts .or have you forgoten all the data i have stored up as i know a couple of people who could put it to use
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written by Harry , 27 February 2010
Seems like this discussion is becoming too philosophical and diverting from the core issue.

The simple fact is that Gradon is a theiving scumbag who hasn't got the guts to do an honest job to make a living.

Just like all petty scumbags he tries to justify what he is doing by pointing the other way.

Hey AG, it's not because bigger (and classier) robbers exist that litte shits like you are guilt-free. The bottom line is that you're a spineless little coward who can't face life's real responsabilities.

As for a book, you are kidding aren't you? You're just a worthless little nobody, not Ronnie Biggs! Grow up. Be a man.
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written by andrewgradon , 27 February 2010
have i got your bank account number harry remember i was enptying bank accuonts when i was thirteen
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written by andrewgradon , 27 February 2010
core issue is you gotripped of and cant handle it .so your way of saying things is understandable
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written by frenchlife , 27 February 2010
Dear all

This is another one of Andrew Gradon's relatives, an Ian Gradon. Ironic he deals in bank notes!

http://www.worldnotes.co.uk/

Good luck with bringing this scumbag to justice.

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written by blabla , 27 February 2010
frenchlife, how do you know that Andrew and Ian are related? Could it just be that Gradons in the North are as numerous as O'Briens are in Dublin...?
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written by frenchlife , 27 February 2010
I have my ways, believe me they are.
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written by frenchlife , 27 February 2010
PS: i don't think Mr Gradon understands how difficult it is to "empty" bank accounts nowadays, things have changed since he was a nipper stealing schoolbooks to provide ID!
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written by nick dragon , 27 February 2010
To response gradon,I have never seen anything wrong with removing graffiti from historical buildings and areas,using my own money,you are obviuosly American,half of the places where graffiti was removed or covered over have no new tags or graffiti on ,this is after 3 years and the Isle of Ibiza looks a lot prettier without it.Luckily for us the crisis in Spain means that a lot of these vandals or "perps"american-speak,don't have enough money for spray paint at 15 euros a can,I think Montana must be laughing all the way to the bank.Hasta luego borego.Take care of your World.
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written by Harry , 27 February 2010
If the scumbag really does know how to empty people's bank accounts he wouldn't bother being a smelly small time beggar at airports.

I have a friend who works at one of his favourite haunts and who now knows what he looks like. We're watching out for the scumbag's return.

A few of us will be over there like a shot. There's a nice quiet place in the back of the car park. Perfect for teeth removals, eye gouging and that sort of thing...

See ya one of these days scumbag. If not the next time, it'll be the one after.

You're branded now. Loser.
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written by responseregradon , 27 February 2010
Count me in, worth a trip to Europe from the US!
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written by MikeP , 27 February 2010
Count me in too. Somehow though I think he'll keep a low profile as I would imagine that bravery is not very high on his list of personal qualities. We may never see any more of him other than his moronic and pathetic attempts to justify his petty deceptions.
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written by andrewgradon@yahoo.com , 27 February 2010
ps when you give me your account nubers im looking at your card and can expiry date card issue number and the actual number of the card but dont worry im not going to incriminate myself by giving this info to other people as it would put me out of a job .ps why bring my family into it it has nothing to do with them they have respectable lives and good jobs im the black sheep of the family .so stop bitching like ten year olds and stay whit the issue . ps why do mpeople always make something small into somethig big when really its no big deal.ps think im going to stop writting now .as this is getting boring and nowhere really as ive got a life to get on with instead of wasting my time on computers
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written by nick dragon , 27 February 2010
For French life,I ave my ways,what a load of rubbish,all you have done is a googling,perhaps you are a Walter Mitty,trying to make it look harder than it is and hiding behind your camp name:French Life,an old Australian camping company,I ave my ways ow do I do it,get a grip mon amis,it,s the internet
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written by frenchlife , 27 February 2010
I didn't do a "googling" to get hold of the information, that's all I'm saying mon ami.
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written by MikeP , 27 February 2010
The email address - andrewgradon@yahoo.com - is non-existent. So he is either too stupid to type his own email address correctly, or more likely, too much of a yellow-bellied coward to publish it in case he gets nasty emails from anyone.

Quote
:
98.137.54.238 failed after I sent the message.
Remote host said: 554 delivery error: dd This user doesn't have a yahoo.com account (andrewgradon@yahoo.com) [-5] - mta1
Unquote
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written by Harry , 27 February 2010
The address did exist at one time because if you try to open a Yahoo account with that name you are told it already exists.

So there are 3 possibilities -

1 - andrewgradon@yahoo.com hasn't bothered to empty his mailbox or use it in a very long time. Or he's too stupid to know how. When an existing mailbox goes dormant, Yahoo mothballs it but doesn't allow anyone else to reuse it because they might get emails destined for the previous user of the name.

2 - another Andrew Gradon (there must be a few in the world) registered the name but let it go dormant when he started getting demands for money from scumbag's victims.

3 - one of scumbag's victims realised the yahoo name didn't exist and grabbed it hoping that he'd hear from other victims that might help him trace the scumbag.

I'd guess it's number 1.
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written by andrewgradon , 27 February 2010
ps it still exist and im still getting mail on it no problem
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written by andrewgradon , 27 February 2010
and excuse me but who is frenchlife probably has nothing to do with the situation or do you becouse in my files i dont see a french life there
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written by andrewgradon , 27 February 2010
ps yes you where wright i did not verify my pass word two weeks ago .so its no problem to get mail now
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written by andrewgradon , 27 February 2010
any more coments please send them to my mail box as nossy people cant disturb us there
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written by MikeP , 27 February 2010
It works does it Gradon? Who do you think you're fooling?

Hi. This is the qmail-send program at yahoo.com.
I'm afraid I wasn't able to deliver your message to the following addresses.
This is a permanent error; I've given up. Sorry it didn't work out.

:
......187 failed after I sent the message.
Remote host said: 554 delivery error: dd This user doesn't have a yahoo.com account (andrewgradon@yahoo.com) [-5] - mta1031.mail.re4.yahoo.com
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written by frenchlife , 27 February 2010
so I'm not in your files, what does this mean? you keep files on your victims, weird!
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written by Harry , 27 February 2010
A nobody petty crook keeps "files" and can get into bank accounts. Yeah sure, scumbag. What a loser!
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written by andrewgradon , 28 February 2010
ps to reporter who whent looking for me cant help but laugh how did you think that you were going to find me . go to 80 airports in one day .and you got stranded .give you a littel tip next time check the weather reports on bbc there prity good and exact .and you also have to have the knowledge is it going to be bussy or not .and cant seen to view your video over here as it is restricted to england so if you sit down and plan it properly next time you might be in with a slite chance of getting that interview .ps use a dbahn 50% card next time as you can travel in and out of all the agioning countreis to germany for 12 months and the price is only 360 euros for the whole year in first class .and more comfurtable than planes . might have a chance to find me on the trains as that is where i spend most of my time. good luck
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written by MikeP , 28 February 2010
"go to 80 airports in one day "

That's amazing Gradon, I never knew there were so many airports in Cloud Cuckoo Land.

I note you still don't have the spine to post your real email address or a 'phne number here.
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written by andrewgradon , 28 February 2010
ps there is actually 91 workable airports in europe alone 9 ferry ports and 3 uerostar terminals well what do you think he was going to stay in one airport and wait till i turned up? well mike p see you never looked at a map before or are you one of these people who takes taxis at the public cost or choufer driven as there seems to be hundreds of private drivers around europe . ps do you know where cuckoo land is ? well this is game over on my side see you later if you need any more info you are going to have to work it out yourselfs .nearly forgot if you want to help next time make sure you do it through the proper channels .
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written by BenR , 01 March 2010
Hello Andrew, you seem to be getting quite a reputation. Somebody has just contacted me to tell me about this website. I'm interested to see that I wasn't the only person whose kindness and trust you abused; you stole 60 Euros from me at 6pm on Wednesday 28 May 2008 at Milan Malpensa airport, terminal 1.

I managed to find out a bit about you including the address of your father. How sorry and defeated he must feel, knowing that his son turned out to be a worthless piece of scum. I discovered that you were born on 14 February 1973 or 1974 and a couple of other things about you. From what I read on here I think most people wouldn't even wipe their shoes on you and if your illiterate claims to speak more than one language are true you must have cheated thousands of other non-English speakers as well. When you robbed me you seemed nervous so maybe you believe in the power of karma. I certainly do and I'm certain that karma will catch up with you in quite a nasty way some time.


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written by Riviera Reporter , 01 March 2010
A question for BenR and the others who have seen their generosity abused.

Has your experience with Gradon affected your attitude towards helping others, who may well be in real need?
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written by BenR , 01 March 2010
Yes, the abuse of my trust has made me more cautious and now if I'm in any doubt the balance will be towards not believing the person.

If ever I do lend money I will demand collateral in the form of a watch, a mobile phone or something valuable.
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written by MikeP , 08 March 2010
Having spent a lot of my time at airports both as a passenger and in a professional capacity, I've seen and heard things many people wouldn't imagine. It's made me cynical and distrustful and when Gradon (or a Gradon clone) approached me at Nice I was suspicious and told him to 'get thee hence' or words to that effect. I had read about his antics so perhaps I was forewarned but I like to think my intuition would have told me that he was a petty crook.

Years ago a US American girl approached me with a hard luck story at a London rail terminus. The story rang true and I ended up paying for her to stay a night in a cheap hostel - maybe £20 - and giving her £5 which in those days was a reasonable amount. She asked me for my name and address and I had a feeling that she would, as promised, return the money at some point in the future.

Despite my positive feeling, even I was surprised when, a week or so later, I had the most delightful letter of thanks from her parents in the US enclosing a $100 note.
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written by andrewgradon , 11 March 2010
to mike p what are you talking about mr your full of shit or what you gave me 72 euros so don,t lie . and if you have a friend who is looking out for me in a airport good look as their is 75.000 working alone in frankfurt . ps bet you cant guess where ive just been for three weeks . or do you need a sat nav .it seems to me like your looking for sympathy or what . so what where you doing at airports all the time being a nossy ~~~~~ or what ? and if you dont have nothing to do with the issue stay off line ediot as nobody uses this site anyway
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written by MikeP , 11 March 2010
Gradon :

If I could make sense of your incoherent, unpunctuated, mis-spelt diatribe I could respond. Perhaps if you know someone who can write you could ask them to help you?

Does anyone here know what this person is trying to say?
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written by andrew gradon , 12 March 2010
see nobody cares about you mike p [ no responses ]
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written by Heinrich T. , 12 March 2010
Hallo Andrew,

du spielst dich hier ganz schön auf.
Als ich dich zur Polizei geführt habe, hast du geweint wie ein kleines Baby.

Sollte ich dich nochmals erwischen, werde ich dir zeigen was ich von dir halte.

Du bist nur ein kleiner Betrüger.

Wenn Du in Frankfurt bist, dreh dich immer mal wieder um, denn ich könnte vielleicht hinter dir stehen.
Ich weiß ja wie du aussiehst!

P.S. @andy from the BBC
Wie kann man solch einem miesen Typen eine Plattform einrichten, auf der er sich als Held präsentieren darf?
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written by MikeP , 12 March 2010
Rough translation :

You're playing a lot on here.

When I took you to the police, you cried like a little baby.

If I catch you again, I'll show you what I think of you.

You're just a little cheat.

If you are in Frankfurt, watch over your shoulder often, because I might be behind you, and i know what you look like.

P.S. @ Andy from the BBC

How can you give a platform to such a useless specimen for himself to present himself as a hero?
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written by responseregradon , 13 March 2010
I beg to differ Mr Gradon. People DO care, thousands of people view and respond to the Riviera Reporter's site. MikeP speaks for decent, honest people who are disgusted by you. Stop hiding behind this false bravado, your actions will catch up with you. Fact.
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written by MikeP , 13 March 2010
Thank you, but your words are wasted on lowlife like Gradon, for they do not know the meaning of words such as 'honest' and 'decent'.

As you say, his actions will catch up with him, probably very soon.
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written by andrewgradon , 14 March 2010
what your all think you are fortune tellers or what how do you know whats going to happen
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written by andrewgradon , 14 March 2010
whos hiding you dont know what i look like . and if you did see me what your going to do anyway beat me up dont makeme laugh if i was hiding how do you think im still making money . and if you do see me a second time then thats lucky . make the message short youve got to keep looking and who siad anything about being a hero . havent done anything brave . ps and i took you to the police remember and you were crying like a baby over 40 euros if i remember . and you can see it on the police video if you want to .ps your still fat man and you where shaki8ng like jelly man thinking you had caught me .and 5 minuets later i was out so dont waste your time anymore as words dont effect me only actions
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written by Harry , 15 March 2010
We know what Gradon looks like. BBC published it here and Nice PAF (airport police) also have a different shot:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/chrisjackson/2010/02/final_call_for_airport_conman.html
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written by andrewgradon , 15 March 2010
ps i was 5 years in prague and you did not notice me
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written by andrewgradon , 16 March 2010
ps harry whats an honest job being a politician and robbing the people. you see harry my job is more honest at least i give you the choice to say yes or no . not like some people out there
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written by Andy from the BBC , 24 March 2010
Andrew Gradon update.... a contact's told me someone has taken a photo of Gradon's new passport, which we'll have soon.
I'll let the Riviera Reporter know when we have it.
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written by mark tra.'vers , 25 March 2010
My wife and I have just returned from Malaga.On the 23rd of march 2010 we were having a drink outside a restaurant called tomes which is opposite the museo de la picasso which is in san augustine street A man looking very thin passed me carrying a map or somthing looking out of place he wore yellow/pale trousers with a brown jacket he walked towards the entrance to the museum. It was a few seconds later the same man returned talking to a group of tourists he had a tattoo on his neck(left side)-and used a broken english/foreign accent.He looks very like the e fit but a little older dark silver grey hair-if there is cctv on this little stretch of backstreet then you could have your man-apologies for not taking photo-was early PM
We over heard him conning this group out of money using a very similar tale


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written by Christoph , 03 April 2010
Am Gründonnerstag bin ich demselben Andrew Gradon auf dem Flughafen von Berlin-Tegel aufgessen und habe ihm auf die bereits beschriebene Story hin 32 Euros gegeben. Dank dieses Forums werde ich eine Anzeige bei der Polizei aufgeben.
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written by A. Salam , 11 April 2010
Ich bin Opfer dieses Gauners Andrew David Gradon am 06.04.10 am Flughafen Schönefeld gewesen. Wie oben beschrieben behauptete er, mit seiner Freundin den EasyJet-Flug verpaßt zu haben und ihnen fehlten 32 Euro für die Umbuchung. Idiotischerweise habe ich ihm das Geld gegeben. Seine britische Passnummer lautet: 707400804, laut Paß ist er am 18.02.73 in Marske By the Sea geboren
AS
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written by Morty , 18 May 2010
On May 16th. Mr Gradon was operating on Oslo airport-same behaviour-got NOk 250 and passportno. was 707400801
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written by Caro , 25 May 2010
I met this guy at Oslo airport May 16th. I payed 74 NOK to get his luggage out of storage.
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written by Christian , 25 May 2010
Hello people. I haven't been frauded but i came over this article in todays paper here and had to google to wonder what kind of guy this was and triped over this page.

http://www.vg.no/nyheter/innenriks/artikkel.php?artid=10007294

Hes active in Norway now. Both Oslo Airport and in town centre. Good luck catching this muppet.
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written by KP , 11 June 2010
All: I met this person on 13 April 2010 at Hamburg/Germany airport where he told me the same story about Easy Jet missed flight and his not operating credit card - poor boy, why doesn't he change his flight operator and credit card bank if he gets in trouble so often? I gave him 50 EUR - too bad, obviously, I should have checked the internet before but found this forum too late, since he never responded my email requests :-(

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written by RichN , 09 July 2010
ok, Im adding my name to the long list.. Copenhagen airport 200DK (aprox £25) 6th July..
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written by RASMUS ELTON , 16 July 2010
And I met him at Copenhagen airport on the 1st of July 2010, and just tried to write him and e-mail now, and realized I have been scammed, sucker! Thought I got to do a good deed and help a person in need. I was wrong. Well, the amount was not that much (160 DKK = 18 GBB) so I guess it is the same person. God, this man should go into acting instead and make a fortune as a conman on stage, haha :-D


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written by Liz , 21 July 2010
All I can say is that what goes around comes around. He will get what he deserves sooner or later, but for everyone that gave a few Euros to a fellow human being, it's people like you that make the world a better place. Know that if you are ever in need, there are at least a few people like you that may help. Don't let this idiot f*** up our world.
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written by Andreas Schaffstein , 11 August 2010
Same happened to me at Frankfurt Airport 9th of August 2010. Showed me his passport and gave the same false Email Adresee. Did anyone actually filed a police report so that this guy gets arrested when he uses his passport at the airport. Shouldn't be too difficult to get him since he apparently likes travelling a lot with good peoples money.
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written by Uwe Rokossa , 12 August 2010
I'm next in line and it happened at Frankfurt Airport 7th of August 2010. Showed me his passport and gave the same false Email address. I'm going to contact police tomorrow.
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written by MikeP , 14 August 2010
I was at the Paris Nord Eurostar terminal yesterday (it's an absolute disgrace by the way compared to St. Pancras) and the people in front of me in the queue were approached by a man asking them for money for a lost ticket. From what I've heard about Gradon I don't think it was him, he spoke English with a German accent, which seemed genuine, and was tall and thin with a rather weatherbeaten looking face, and scruffily dressed.

The odd thing is that when he saw me pulling out my 'phone to get a photo he shot off pretty smartly.
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written by Mike Meade , 14 August 2010
Not surprising that Gradon isn't the only one. But some thieves have more imagination - http://ow.ly/2py8W
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written by From Frankfurt , 18 August 2010
Same story. August 6th Frankfurt Airport - Terminal 1, departure floor, 23:00.

He showed me his British passport, we chated for 5 min and I gave him 35 EUR.

Keep posting ? we will find him.

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written by Hannes , 21 August 2010
Hi,
I met Andrew Gradon August 18 at Geneva airport 17:30, he told the same story about rebooking a plane and I gave him money, stupid.... his passport nr 707400801...

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written by Volker , 26 August 2010
Hi together, today I met Andrew at Frankfurt Airport. And unfortunately he made a good job. I knew that my chance not to be scamed is at the most 50%.
Not bad Andy, good performance.

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