"UNCLE'S" £40,000

Dunstan Times, Issue 3429, 29 July 1929, Page 4

"UNCLE'S" £40,000

AUSTRALIAN IS VICTIM Loses £2OO.

I "The almost incredible gullibility of human beings seems to be unbending. By simiiar stories large sums of money have been obtained from colonials from the earliest days", said the magistrate (Mr Muskett), sentencing Thomas James Raynolds to three, months for playing a confidence trick upon James Harold Wright, an Australian spelling a holiday in London. Wright gave evidence that Raynolds accosted him near Australian House,' and claimed that he was from Sydney. They had drinks, and went to the Zoo, where they met a man named O'Grady, who saifl that his American uncle had left him £40,000. O'Grady said that he was going to Rome to deposit £IO,OOO with the Pope, and the remainder he was going to distribute among the poor. Raynolds suggested that Wright and himself should assist in the distribution. Wright met O'Grady in a cafe, and handed over £2OO as proof of his bona rides. O'Grady went out leaving a cash box, reputedly containing £2,200. When O'Grady did not return Wright opened the box, and found that it contained rolls of blank paper. Wright days later saw Raynolds in Oxford street, where he was arrested after a chase. He had in his possession £2 13 which the magistrate directed should be given to Wright.