Confidence Tricksters

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 182, 1 May 1931, Page 11

Confidence Tricksters

An outline for the use of New Zealanders voyaging overseas of the various tricks of confidence men and the mode of their application, as suggested by “Safety First,” would, in the opinion of Robert L. Ferguson, only have the stultifying and negative effect in the production by the other side of a “revised version” of old tricks performed more up to date. It is this something for nothing which is the bait in every instance, and the victim reads its portent too plainly when the other fellow has got his “something for nothing.” “The second paragraph in ‘Safety First’s’ letter nullifies his whole scheme, viz.: ‘But they do not realise that confidence men in London are supremely clever in their art. and can anticipate the victim’s every thought.’ Therefore, it is quite a reasonable inference to deduce the fact that, speaking with a colloquialism. ‘he’s a gone coon, from the start.’ Yes! but how does he (the trickster) get a start? In nearly every case the start is generally given by a chance remark of. shall I say, overbearance and self-styled importance, on the part of the subsequent victim, there being no surer sign to the eyes and ears of these gentry. From the writer’s knowledge of the methods of these gentlemen of leisure, far better than ‘Safety First’s’ suggested booklet, is a steadfast mental picture of your mind as a closed book. This silent affirmation of mind will securely enmesh and surround your well-being if carried out in its entirety. But alas! booklet or no booklet, there's the human element in all of us. and that is where our own efforts must prevail and not the ways and means of another.”

Referring to confidence tricksters, "0.C.H.” writes :—“While acknowledging the need for policing the general interests and morality of the public and the enforcement of merited punishment upon all offenders against law and order, I can find no sympathy for the despoiled protagonist of a confidence mobsman. The reason why presumably hard-headed busi-ness-men and others can be duped is not far to seek —the desire to get something for nothing at someone else’s expense, for whatever the ramifications of the particular scheme evolved, a ridiculous and unencumbered profit is always to be the share of the party of the third part. To my mind no expression of sympathy is called for when the duped one gets what is very properly coming to him.”