SYDNEY "GO-GETTERS."

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 91, 18 April 1929, Page 19

SYDNEY "GO-GETTERS."

SOME AMAZING FRAUDS.

POLICE MAKE 30 ARRESTS

INNOCENTS LOSE THOUSANDS

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

SYDNEY, April 12

New Zealand lias not, so far, experienced the full blast of "go-getting." >o that the result of a pclice campaign against this brotherhood in Sydnev, which, in a month, has resulted in 30 arrests in cases involving the loss of many thousands of pounds, should prove interesting.

It is the experience of Sydnev and other Australian cities that most of these "go-getters" (unscrupulous land salesmen) work just within the law, and the problem of dealing with them under laws which are not framed expressly for that purpose is a difficult one.

The ordinary confidence tricks, such as the "gold for notes" scheme, have been almost taboo in Sdney for the P as t two years, but detectives, investigating the hundreds of complaints from unsuspecting folk who have been taken down by the "go-getters," have found numbered in the ranks of the latter all the old faces—confidence men, racecourse urgers, pickpockets, and other criminals, who find in bogus land-selling a more lucrative and iess dangerous occupation. Complaints have been so numerous during the past two years that police have brought the facts under the notice of the Government several times without galvanising Ministers into any activity. That such a large army of "gogetters has been allowed to grow is due solely to the fact that convictions under other laws are difficult of accomplishment, and usually involve the victime in still more expense. How It is Done. The usual approach is made in this manner: An unwary visitor from the country will be standing on the steps at the General Post Office when a stranger will approach and ask to be directed to certain business chambers. Unsuspecting, the "mug" will say he is a stranger to the city. 'That's funny," the reply comes invariably. "I'm from the country myself, and have been sent down by my father to complete the purchase of some land on which he is going to clean up a lot of money. Perhaps you will help me to find the place."

In due course the prospective victim is led to an office, where his new-found "friend'' says he has come to take up the optons on 20 blocks of land bought by his father. °

At this announcement a confederate in the office will say: "But your father took up 25 blocks."

"Well, I've only got enough monev with me to pay for 20 blocks," he replies. And then, turning to the '•mug," invites him to take the other five, explaining what a wonderful opportunity it is, and how the blocks have appreciated in value even since his father took the option.

It rarely fails. The victim pays anything up to £150 a block, gives his cheque, which is* promptly negotiated, and then finds later that he has paid about 20 times their value for land which is inaccessible and impossible to resell. By that time he has signed all the papers, and is legally bound, while there is only his word against that of the men with whom he dealt.

Farmers and country folk have paid out thousands of pounds in recent months to learn this trick, while the men working it have Deen reaping a huge harvest.

One case illustrates how the "go-get-ters" never let up when they get on to a "good thing." After selling a worthless block to a Queensland visitor, they followed him back home and stayed there until he had contracted to pay £1600 for land which had been sold for £5 a block to pay for arrears of rates. "Sharks" in Limousines. The most recent cases indicate that the land sharks are now going even farther afield. Driving in expensive limousines, they are visiting country residents and "putting over" all manner of ramps with extraordinary success financially. Hence the limousines. A case in point went something like this: One of the "go-getters" called on a farmer in the Narrandera district, being already armed with the information that the farmer owned some valuable Sydney suburban property. "I've come to see if you will sell your land at a good profit," were his opening remarks. "I have brought up from Sydney with me a well-known builder, who wants your blocks on which to build blocks of flats. Now, you bought for £900, and I am sure if you hold out, he will pay £1600. That ought to satisfy you." In due course the "builder"—who is reallt a second "go-getter" —is introduced, and the upshot of the conversation is that he buys for £1600. But he gives his cheque to the "agent," who promises to send a statement and cheque, less commission, when he gets back to Sydney.

And then, with the farmer in a benevolent frame of mind, the "agent" tells him about an estate he can offer him at £3000, and on which he can double his mone.

Invariably this hooks the fish. He pays a cheque of about £700 deopsit, to discover later that the original deal was bogus, and that he has let himself in for a £3000 payment for land which is not worth nearly the amount he paid as deposit.

It is this type of dishonest salesman that detectives have been raiding steadily for a month, until the total "bag" has reached more than 30, and prospects indicate that many more arrests will be made.

This activity, it is hoped, will galvanise the Government into providing the necessary legislation to make it impossible for such frauds to continue.