THE CONFIDENCE TRICK.

North Otago Times, 3 December 1910, Page 3 (Supplement)

THE CONFIDENCE TRICK.

HOW IT IS WORKED. The notorious "confidence trick" is a fraud which exemplifies in a striking way the truth of the thesis that it is due to their love of filthy-lucre that people fall so easily a prey to swindlers. • Frederick Williamson, who was head of the detective branch of the Metropolitan Police before the C.I.D. was organised, used to say that the victim of that swindle always intended to defraud the seemingly guileless philanthropist who robs him. And he used also to comment on the fact that the dupe is in so many cases some Colonial or American visitor who would pride himself on being cute, I

The details of the game may vary somewhat according to for these swindlers have a keen knowledge of human nature; and : it may he played out in an-hour or it may last a couple of days; but in its iPiain outlines it is always the same. The criminals-there must be two in the plot-select their victim, and one of them gets into conversation with him bj courteously asking his way, or otherwise," Within'an hour, or it may b.e next day, they- are visiting some public place .together—the British Museum is a favourite resort -or they are fraternising at some restaurant or fashionable bar. ]

Sooner or later the accomplice joins them. To him .the first thief, discloses the fact that a large sum of money has been left to him for distribution in charity, and hiß business here is to discharge the trust, But, being a stranger, he is at a loss to know to whom he should apply for help. The accomplice magnanimously offers to undertake the duty. Moat gratifying this; but he would not feel justified In handing over the money to a single individual, and, moreover, he very delicately hints that the accomplice is a stranger,to him. .'■."' •

"But would not your friend join in the trust?" the accomplice asks. This elicits that the friend is also a stranger to him. But if they both can satisfy him that they are .men of substance' he will gladly avail himself of their services, The accomplice at once produces a sheaf of flash bank-notes! The victim , follows suit by "disclosing the consents of his pocket-book,' or else he pleads that he can soon obtain the money, i It is but natural, however, that m » BbMopui loMii h«mk

to" trust two gentlemen whn arc per.-, feet strangers to him, : unless' they will in some way reciprocate his confidence. Tho' accomplice eagerly responds. He hands over the contents, of- his pocket book,, and. begs the others to leave him,, declaring that he will confidently await their return. They act upon his word,.and within half-an-Ijour they come back and re J store his money. ' How ; ,then, can the victim refuse to give a similar proof of confidence in the philanthropist ?,-

Accordingly he hands over all the cash provided to pay for. his visit to Europe, and with this the thieves clear out, and, like Noah's raven, they never, return,- This is the confidence trick.—Sir Robert Anderson, in "Blackwood's Magazine."