SERVANTS WHO ARE ‘CROOKS’

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 May 1934, Page 4

SERVANTS WHO ARE ‘CROOKS’

THE BURGLARS' SPIES. Modern crime has many ramilica,'oiis, and no .pains are spared by those who are after valuable loot. The carrying out of the "inside'" job is recognised as specialist's work, and cunning preparations precede Hie final coup. The bogus butler is no new role in clime, but it has been much improved since "Gentleman J larry" was sentenced to ten years’ imprisonment (writes a correspondent in the "Liverpool Weekly Post.:”) “Gentleman Harry" was a clever rogue who devoted himself to obtaining posts with titled people, and his deft manners. suave voice, and generally impressive air won him golden opinions. Though never trained us a butler, Im could act the part, “as in the manner born.” He never hurried, usually waiting several weeks before making a move; and then did the job thoroughly. Since then the bogus butler has been reinforced by the crook footman and the maid who is “placed” inside some substantial household to collect information to be posted on to an outside friend, or it. may be that, she operates on tier own account. There are black sheep in all walks of life, ami it is obvious that the position "I' a, trusted servant affords tempting opportunities for the unscrupulous. The, question of references is easily overcome' by those who take positions for the purpose of robbery and blackmail. 11, Ims been established (hat, there is in operation in London a. wellotganised bureau especially designed for t'.ie manufacture of false references. The fees are high, for when crooks deal with crooks there is no sentiment. Armed with "dud” references, a, bogus servant is soon established ill ;i. house or flat filled with desirable articles. In a recent case where a "perfect maid” was discovered to be an experienced thief, she had been provided with references (hat. appeared excellent. Tho address was impressive, and an inquiry by telephone produced a. most, satisfactory reply. Verifying references by telephone is asking for trouble.

MAIDS WHO SELL CONFIDENCES. ( ll Ladies who possess real valuable i gems are often extremely careless |l with them. No wonder the “perfect U butler’ ’or the “refined maid” makes < an easy prey of them. Once stolen, I tho articles vanish with lightning ra- (I pidity into the hands of the “receiv- '< er.” He pays cash for them, and. 1 within a few hours the gems are on ( their way to Iho European markets, < where no questions are asked. In the meantime, the “perfect one” is look- I ing for a fresh hunting ground. ! It is an amazing fact, corroborated by private detectives and all who have I to collect evidence for delicate niatri- < monial cases, that many society | women freely and foolishly abandon ' themselves to confidences in their tin- r guarded moments, while their maid prepares them for bed or completes < the complicated rites necessary before ( madame can face the world. Infor- I mation is thus confided that can .prove . a deadly weapon in the hands of an un- ( scrupulous woman. . | One cannot, wonder that experieuc- ■ ed blackmailers are ever on. the lookout for ladies’ maids. Big sums of I money are constantly being extorted ' from foolish women whose secrets have been confided to a, ‘ sympathetic I maid.” i Not very long ago an elderly lady, who had obstinately refused to bow j before the dictates of old Father Time, , engaged the services of a- smart French maid whose references were , supposed to be unimpeachable. ; After a short time the lady confided [ freely to her maid various secrets, , one of them being that she was expert- I encing a wonderful “romance” with such a dear boy many years her junior. . The “sympathetic” girl assisted in a j plan to hoodwink the husband, and < for a while all went well. I Manv foolish and amorous love let- , ters were written by the woman until ( one day she received a letter to the [ effect, that her “lover” (who turned < out to be an ex-convict) was f to send back the epistles for £lOOO. [ Simultaneously the maid handed m < her notice. . „ Such cases as this in varying form ( are common. Details rarely leak out < for secrecy must be maintained at all costs. And so the victim .pays.. Crooks of the household need careful guarding against. Their opportu- ( nities are great, and they know how ( to make the most of them. r