CONFIDENCE TRICK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19469, 27 October 1926, Page 14

CONFIDENCE TRICK.

BANKER AS A VICTIM. A LOSS OF £9OOO IN PARIS. LONDON, Oct. 22. An Australian confidence trickster named Long, claiming to be a wealthy stockbroker, and assisted by a confederate named Miller, robbed an unnamed high official of a London bank of £9OOO. Miller, at great pains, cultivated the banker's acquaintance, followed him to Paris, and there introduced him to Long. The latter, in turn, invited the banker to palatial offices near the Bourse. Long was good enough to explain that he had been profitably speculating, but nidira'ed that he dealt in large sums n- 'v. He drew £20,000 from his bank, i*ud with this -the trio speculated, the operations resulting in a profit of £6OOO on the same day. The following morning a further £3OOO was netted. Long then requested a guarantee covering losses, same to be equivalent to the immediate gains. The banker and Miller each deposited £9OOO. Gambling continued during the afternoon, when it was suddenly announced that Loi.g's broker had erroneously failed to sell certain stock. The scrip rapidly declined and profits were wiped out, but the trio decided to resume operations at Brussels. Discovering that his guarantee had not been returned, the bankor informed the police. The officers stated that they were powerless to do anything, as he had been gambling on the Bourse without a Government permit. A subsequent search showed that the Offices of Messrs. Long and Miller were deserted. Apparently they had left foi England.