LONDON CONFIDENCE MEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19072, 17 July 1925, Page 10

LONDON CONFIDENCE MEN.

AN EGYPTIAN ROBBED.

BOGUS NEW ZEALANDER.

ANTIQUE DEALERS VICTIMISED.

By Telegraph—Prera Association—Copyright. (Received B.S p.m.) A. aid N.Z. LONDON. July 15. When they ar< not occupied in trying to ensnare visiting Australians, London's confidence tricksters do not scruple to impersonate Antipodean cattle and sheep men. Their latest exploit was at the expense of Mr. Chaukour, an Egyptian of high standing, who fell beneath tho wiles of a bogus New Zealand cattlebreeder.

The impostor joined the same steamer fct Marseilles. Ho "fathered" the Egyptian in London and told him tho Bc-rrets of his cattle export plans. Mr. Chaukour handed over £7500 in bank notes as a proof of his financial Ability to join in a fictitious venture in the Dunedin district. lie went with a party in a taxi-cab on a visit to the West End, where all his companions alighted, ostensibly to transact the business. They left Mr. Chaukour alone to discover ho had been fleeced.

Another man, who was faultlessly dressed, and had perfect manners, victimised a number of West End dealers in antiques to the extent of thousands of pounds. He posed as Mr. David Cluckstein, of Lyons and Company, and purchased a largo quantity of Queen Anno' furniture and silver, stating that ho was acting on behalf of the Earl of

Heading. In one case this man paid for some silver with a valueless cheque, which ho had stolen from a tradesman's chequebook. The dealer felt satisfied that the cheque was genuine, because it was drawn on his own bank.

Another dealer was so delighted with the business ho transacted with tho impostor that he opened a bottle of 1911 champagne and celebrated tho deal. Twenty detectives are now trying to trace tho man, who has so far eluded pursuit.