BOOKIES SWINDLED

New Zealand Times, Volume LIV, Issue 12651, 11 January 1927, Page 10

BOOKIES SWINDLED

BOGUS REVENUE OFFICIALS COLLECTION OF BETTING TAXES. Police authorities all over Greai Britain are keeping a watchful eye on the activities of a number of known crooks who are now posing ns revenue officials and collecting betting taxes from bookmakers. \ The short time the taxation has been in force has not given bookmakers time to learn the official system of -collection, and it is on this lack of knowledge that the bogus collectors are trading. One masquerader is an old convict, who is already “wanted” on different charges in no fewer than towns in England and Wales. His description has been circulated, together with details of his previous exploits and convictions. SUSPICIONS AROUSED While a number of bookmakers, mostly men in a small wav of business, have foolishly paid money to these self-appointed collectors, many have had their suspicions aroused, and re* fused to pay on demand, knowing that their returns have to be sent direct to the department concerned. The activities of the crooks can easily be checked if those who are approached demand to sec the credentials of the person representing himself to be a Bets Tax official. All the officers appointed to investigate and control the working of the Bets Tax are Supplied with documents of nuth- 4 ority.