SWINDLING A BANK

Evening Post, Volume LXXXV, Issue 51, 1 March 1913, Page 13

SWINDLING A BANK

A daring fraud on Coutte'a Bank, London, v/a» lately brought under the notice of the Bow-street police. The perpetrator, a bogus "captain," eucceeded in getting away with £260 in notes and gold by forging the signature of Lady Florence WiJlooghby, wife of Major the Hon. Claud Heatheoie-Drummond-Willoughby, Unionist M,P. for the Stamford Division of Lincolnshire. On the morning of the 14th ult. & man rang up from an hotel the District Messenger office* at High-street. Kensington, for a messenger. Giving the lad a couple of letters, one to deliverfin New Oxford-street and another addressed to the chief c*siiier at Coutta'e Bank, he told him to wait at the latter and bring the money they would give him to Padttington Station. The lad visited the bank with the letter, which contained & request on a blank piece of paper to pay "Captain South or bearer* £260. The signature purported to be that of "IHorence Willoughby." Lady Florence had an account at the bank, and after some hesitation 1 the money was paid over in twenty £10 Bank of England noteß and £60 in gold. Thla was taken by the lad to Paddington Station, where he met the man who sent him and handed over the money. Later in the day the cheque Was found to b© a forgery.