SMART FRAUD ALLEGED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15649, 1 July 1914, Page 10

SMART FRAUD ALLEGED

JEWELLER'S SHOP VISITED.

MAID IN MOTOR-CAR.

WATCH AND RING SECURED.

[BY. TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION'.]

CraiSTcmfßCH, Tuesday. A young woman was arrested this afternoon by Detectives Ward and Gibson on a charge of perpetrating a fiaud yesterday upon Messrs. W. Watson,and Co., jewellers, of Colombo Street.

It is stated that Mr. Watson, was at his main establishment when he was called to the telephone, end a female voice said the speaker was Mrs. —— (mentioning the name of a well-known Christchurch lady), and she wished to make a present to her niece. Her niece would come to the branch shop in a few minutes, and would Mr. Watson see that she obtained a nico watch?

Very shortly afterwards a young lady arrived at the shop in a smart motor-car, with a chauffeur at the wheel. She was smartly dressed, and the shop assistant felt no qualms in handing over to her a gold watch ticketed at £7 10s, which "auntio would pay for."

J Half an hour later tho telephone rang | again, and once more did the supposed I Mrs. give Mr. Watson another order. So delighted was her niece with the watch, said the speaker, 1 that her J untie also desired to make her a presentation. Therefore she would come back to the shop and select another article, which her uncle, Mr. , would pay for, though his account must not bo sent in before the 12th of the month. Again did tho yonug lady arrive at the branch shop, and this time she selected a ring valued at £5 10s, and away she went in her motor-car. Feeling uneasy, Mr. Watson this morn- : ing rang up the lady whoso name had been given on the telephone, and learnt I that neither sho nor her husband had ! ever sent any niece or anyone else to the i shop. The matter wa<« promptly put in ! the hands of the police, with the result I that as. arrest was effected.