WILES OF SWINDLERS

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Volume 58, Issue 233, 2 November 1929, Page 5

WILES OF SWINDLERS

THE CONFIDENCE TRICKS. HOW GULLIBLE PEOPLE FALL. "THREE BLIND AIICE" GAAIE. SYDNEY, Oct. 24. . The cablegrams often remind us of the successes of the confidence tricksters that operate on unsuspecting Australians and, New Zealanclers in the' European capitals. Some extraordinary ca-ses are reported from time to time, such, for instance, as that of the Queenslander wbo a few days ago paid £250 011 a worthless agrieeinent purporting to give hira the Australian and New Zealand rights of an automatic cigarette-making machine. But Australian detectives are called upon to investigate tales just as remarkable as those that are reported from abroad. It is on record in Melbourne tliat a tramway manager from Canada "fell" for the tale of an alleged fellow passenger by mail gteamer to Melbourne, that, by accompanying him to the Federal Treasurer's office in Melbourne, he could have have all liis foreign bank notes converted into gold. The Canadian transport official handed over £500 worth of paper to liis professed friend, who- entercd the Treasury by the main entrance, and pased out at tlie back. The Melbourne police were able to identify the trickstcr as one of tbe State's most notorious criminals, but they could find no trace of him until tlie Canadian liad left for liome. Then, of course, it .was too late to take any action. STRANGER AND IAIPOSTOR. Better luck attended police efforts last week in bringing home retribution to a gang of swindlers who extracted several huudreds of pounds sterling from an "innocent abroad!" who liad less claim to sympathy tlian the toui'ist from Canada. I11 this case an obvious stranger to Melbourne was picked on by a man wbo represented that be had an appoinfment with a horse huyer and sought directions how to find one of the best-known city hotels. Proud of airing liis met.ropolitan knowledge tbe genuine stranger escorted the impostor to the designated spot. A second rogue appeared at tlie liotel with tlie information that the horse buyer liad gone walking in public garclens near by. Off tbey all went, and' discovered the alleged dealer waiting, so he said, for someone wbo had won moiiey from him at the "three blind mice" game. He professed to liave provided fiunself with more cash to continue tlie gamble. In whispered tones tbe stranger was invited "to join in robbing tliis man. He rose to tlie bait, and, naturally, liad occasion for bitter repentance. FURTHER SUPPLY OF CASH. The victim was astute enougli to hide his knowledge of liaving been robbed, and, hoping to obtain restitution tlirough tlie eliannels of tbe law, he arranged to meet the swindlers again next da.v with a further supply of cash. No doulit a member of the gang was detailed to see tliat tlie stranger did not eommunicate with the police, but the spy must have failed in his task. When the party resassembled and resumed ■ gambling policem.en s warmed out of a motor car. The swindlers ran off in dift'erent directions. ''By pre-arrangement the stranger attacbed himself to the man who had appropriated his money. The rascal was soon secured, and his cofiipanions were arrested later. They were tried and convicted. There was no restitufcion of the first dav's hani, but tbe stranger had the satisfaction of liaving his despoilers sent to gaol.