AN INGENIOUS FRAUD

Evening Star, Issue 19583, 15 June 1927, Page 9

AN INGENIOUS FRAUD

BAD CHEQUES PASSED JSpecial to the ‘ Stae.’l CHRISTCHURCH, June 14. Several tradespeople in Sydenham are feeling rather ill-used _ and sorry for themselves. The reason is that thev have parted with hard cash and goods, and their only returns are cheques (which they have ascertained _to be valueless! and a heap of experience. Briefly, they have been swindled, and the manner thereof was ingenious. One instance, which occurred in the case of a grocer, was an exceptionally clever form of trap. Two men entered the shop. One, who appeared to he of the laboring type, went to one end of the counter and made a small cash purchase: the other was a well-dressed stranger. He made some purchases at the far end of the counter, and tendered in payment a cheque for £5. on which was the signature of Owen Moore. The assistant, who was not entitled to take cheques in such circumstances, referred the cheque to tho proprietor, mentioning the name of the alleged drawer The laboring man then entered into the affair. “ r 'wen Moore, did you say?” he rema***'d. “I wish I had his money. I used to, work for him.’' That statement rerrfoved any doubts, and the cheque was cashed, substantial change being given, but, as events have shown, tho name of the alleged drawer of tho cheque is not known to the hank.