INGENIOUS SWINDLERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14525, 12 November 1910, Page 2 (Supplement)

INGENIOUS SWINDLERS.

JEWELLER ROBBED OF £7000.

A few weeks ago two swindlers, named Emil Beck and Sharing, the latter of whom called himself "Don Cyrillo de Florida,'* induced a Munich jeweller to hand over to them gems to the value of over £7000 in return for a worthless cheque on the Deutsche Bank. Investigation of the affair has shown that a few days before effecting their successful coup the impostors called upon Frau von der Heydt, a Berlin lady,, who is owner of a famous Rembrandt, and,.after mock bargaining, agreed to buy the picture for £20,000. They wished to take it with them, and offered a cheque in payment. But the lady is cautious, and said she would prefer to make inquiries at their bank before, surrendering her treasure. These swindlers were evidently preparing to try the same trick at Munich. They wens having their portraits painted by the well-known artist Professor von Kaulbach, and had obtained access to a number of private galleries. They had so far established a reputation for solidity that when they accidentally made the acquaintance of the son of the jeweller whom they eventually plundered he proposed that they should become his customers. His father was delighted at the prospect of doing such a good stroke of business, and made a special journuy to Frankfort to replenish bis stock of costly trinkets. Correspondence which has fallen into the hands of the police indicates that the swindlers aie members of a gang who make a speciality of victimising wealthy Americans touring in Europe.