SYNTHETIC "CONFIDENCE."

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 151, 29 June 1931, Page 6

SYNTHETIC "CONFIDENCE."

Nothing intrigues a reader so much as a report of how John Dopey was fleeced of some thousands of pounds. Yet, with all the publicity given to these happenings, confidence men still carry on their professional patter, and, what is more, they still find victims. Confidence men in New Zealand are a rarity—for many reasons, which now it is neither opportune nor necessary to explain. Some years ago, whilst standing on the docks in Liverpool, England, I was just about to board a boat for Canada when a very smart man approached and volunteered the information that the vessel would not be pulling out till midnight. So impressing was the news, that I believed Jiim, and started to walk towards town. The bearer of this news walked alongside. "Such a nuisance these delayed sailings," etc. We chatted away and when we reached town he asked me how the train ran for Manchester. These confidence men pick the conversation to suit the locality— we were near Lime Street station. Naturally I showed him the inquiry office. "Oh, yes, only a little while to wait. Would you care to run down to my mother's .place?" Being a stranger in Liverpool myself, I acquiesced. On the way down we talked of Canada, and he was quite willing to tell me of his good fortune through his "uncle dying in Canada.

The mother greeted us most profusely. "How terrifically beautiful for you to come back for a few minutes, Guy, dear." "Yes, mother, I couldn't stay in Liverpool for five or six hours. Mater, may I speak to you a minute?" I could overhear the conversation. "No, Guy, I couldn't. I've only about five pounds in the house, but my dear—well, possibly he could. You ask him." "No, mother, you —all right, mother, I will." So the fragmentary conversation floated to my ears, . then they both came over to me. "Mr. Astute, I'm really awfully sorry, but you understand travelling, and my mater has posted a draft over to my bankers, and there are quite a few things to do. Would you cash my mother's cheque for £50 ?" "Well, Mr. Confidence, I've not a great deal with me " "But, you see, Mr. Astute— mother, would you mind easing Mr. Astute's mind? Show him your bank book." "I'll do no such thing—Guy, how dare you," etc. Then Mr. Confidence sulked. Mrs. Confidence swung out of the room, to return later. "A thing I've never been asked to do before —not even by your father." She placed the bank book on the table. "There you are, Mr. Astute, a balance of over a thousand." I caught the boat, the confidence man missed it —the same as I missed my fifty pounds. That' loss Avas to me fifty pounds of experience. Now I delight in stringing any of these smart guys on. To me it is a study of criminal psychology. Not so long ago a man was watching the wonderful structure of the Sydney Bridge—then three parts erected —showing a large gap in the middle. Presently a man cavne alongside with paper and pencil muttering figures, time, labour, etc. Then suddenly he apologised to the admirer of the 'bridge. "It makes a man mad —my father is just about the poorest business head one could meet. Hβ contracted to dismantle tliat bridge and stood to make £50,000. He'e thrown the whole thing on my shoulders. I've to raise a thousand pounds to finish the job. I'll do it all right." That stranger vas minus f 1000. It seems incredible that out of a million people these •crooks can pick the right one. A confidence man seldom selects a wrong number. Their method i.5 simple —they always work 4 with one or two confederates. May have to shadow a "lamb" for weeks before they get him into the position and frame *f mind to start work." —ASTUTE.