BLACKMAIL TRUST.

Greymouth Evening Star, 26 June 1922, Page 6

BLACKMAIL TRUST.

VAST SUMS EXTORTED

It is estimated that over £600,000 « year is extorted from wealthy people in New York by a “national blackmail trust,” and that men of national importance are being victimised. Tho operations of the “trust” are said to extend all overt the United States and, according to Air. AV. Sherman Burns, of the Burns Detective Agency, the annual loot is “simply appalling.” According to the famous detective the amount- of money obtained by blackmailers almost equals the annual harvest of all the highwaymen, burglars, pickpockets, train robbers, and postal bandits in America- combined. “Blackmail, is the big crime of America to-day,” said Air Burns. “The facts of these cases are not published ; the police hear of scarcely 10 per cent. of them. A list of only the more recent victims would contain many names of national prominence. Its publication would create one of the greatest sensations this country has ever known. “Alore blackmailing is going on today than at any time to my knowledge, and it is not safe for a man or woman of wealth to make a chance acquaintance in any of our large cities. The mosjit innocent meeting may be made the basis for demands for large sums of money. Almost as much money is being extorted through blackmail as is lost through thievery. The amount that is daily wrung from the pockets of. the victims is simply appalling. ”