GREAT MARRIAGE FRAUDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 9040, 19 November 1892, Page 2 (Supplement)

GREAT MARRIAGE FRAUDS.

FRENCHMEN ANXIOUS TO WED

RICH GIRLS. A. M. Beauvais and his wife have been arrested in Paris for what is probably the largest matrimonial swindle which has taken place for a long time.

Tho method of M. Beauvais was to advertise in popular newspapers that—" A young orphan possessing £20,000 would marry serious gentleman. Apply H. C., Poste Restants, Lyons." The locality, of course, was frequently changed. Beauvais then arranged to have tho letters forwarded to him under various names at different addresses. He replied to his dupes asking for thirty francs, for registration, and when this sum was received he sent the photograph of a beautiful girl. This girl, who acted as the bait, was generally Beauvais' own daughter ; but the part was often unwittingly played by some other girl genenally engaged by him as a lady's companion for hie wife, or in some such similar capacity. lb cosb thirty francs more to have an interview with the young girl supposed to be in search of a husband, their meeting generally taking place in a railway station or a museum. It vas generally brief, and the matrimonially inclined bachelor never saw his lady-love again nor could he over find any trace of her, the Beauvais family always suddenly removing to pastures new when things were likely to become awkward.

No less than 1200 complaints have been lodged against Beauvais, and the police have good reason for estimating that at least double that number have been robbed without complaining. The son Beauvais operated independently of his father and mother. He had invented " the natural child trick," which was to promise, by advertisement, 200 francs a month for the board of a natural child, plus £2000 when the child reached its majority. All information was to be sent in exchange for 10 francs. Of course, when people sent the 10 francs they never heard anything more about the natural child. The number of dupes made by this intelligent young man may be judged from the fact that when the police arrested him 6CO letters, half of which number contained '10 franco, were awaiting him at the post office. The other half wore partly letters asking for further information, partly letters from previous victims. Many of them are singular specimens of public credulity. Beouvais, his wifo, and his son have all been arrested. Mdllo. Beauvais, who is only 15 years old, has been left at liberty, so that she may look after her brothers and sisters, three very young children.