MONEY BY FRAUD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20365, 20 September 1929, Page 16

MONEY BY FRAUD.

TOTAL OF £337 FROM WOMAN

STORY OF "UNCLE CHARLIE."

COMMITTAL FOR SENTENCE.

Two charges of obtaining money by false pretences and ono of fraudulently obtaining credit were preferred against Wilfred Harold Adams, aged 28, mechanic (Mr. Dickson), in the Police Court yestorday. Accused ploaded guilty and was committed to the Supremo Court for sentence.

Accused was charged with obtaining £325 from Ellen Paulino Smith by falsely representing that ho waß Wilfred Cahill and that ho had £ISOO in tho National Bank, the amount being required to complete tho investments in a company; with falsoly representing that he held a lifo insurance policy for £IOOO, and obtaining £l2 10s for payment of a premium; und with obtaining credit by fraud by incurring a debt of £2B 5s to William Arthur Larsen.

Ellen Paulino Smith, married, said that accused had been a regular customer at tearooms owned by her in Karangahape Road Ho stated that his namo was Wilfred Cahill and that he was a traveller for a city firm.

Investment in Company.

Witness was also told by him that he had £ISOO in tho National Bank, which ho thought of investing in a grocery business. Accused spoko of a company which was being formed by an uncle living at Remuera, whom ho called "Undo Charlie." On his advice, witness was induced to give him £325, which accused stated was required to complete the investments in the company. Witness heard a telephone conversation which accused allegedly had with his uncle, in which ho said that ho had obtained the money to complete the company. Accused told witness that she would bo secure, as he was insured for £IOOO. Two weeks later she again saw accused, whom she then knew as Adams. She taxed him with using a false name, and I ho replied that ho used it so that his people would not know of his obtaining money from a girl. At tho time witness had no doubt that tho money was invested, although she had received no acknowledgment from tho company. On August 28, accused informed her that repayment of the money had been delayed owing to the death of his aunt. He said that he himself would pay the money to her if ho could obtain £l2 10s to pay a premium on his insuranco policy. Witness paid him that amount. Witness boCame suspicious early this year that tho money had not been invested, and placed the matter in the hands of the polico.

Hotel Bill Not Paid

William Arthur Larsen, licensee of the Ambassadors Hotel, said that accused and a girl booked at the hotel on July 2. They were permitted to stay for two weeks without payment, as accused informed him that, his companion had arrived from Wellington to collect £4OOO from Mr. Dickson, solicitor. Witness then made inquiries, but was unable to see Mr. Dickson and accused pj-omised to obtain tho money from his uncle. The amount of the bill had not been forthcoming. Detective Knight said that accused liad made a statement admitting obtaining £325 and £l2 10s from Mrs. Smith, and also incurring the debt which ho could not pay. Accused declined to say how he had disposed of tho money, but gave witness to understand that it was recoverable by him. Accused pleaded guilty and was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. No application was made for bail.