CONFIDENCE TRICKSTERS

Otago Witness, Issue 3443, 9 March 1920, Page 41

CONFIDENCE TRICKSTERS

PREYING ON THE NOUVEAU RICHE. (Fhom Ouh Own Coebespondent.) SYDINi.-t, January 21. A very large number of persons, mostly traders and fortunate speculators, have made fortunes in the past couple of years, and a considerable proportion of them are at xsresent headed for foreign parts, on globe-trotting intent. Every big P. and O. steamer that leaves is crowded with wealthy people—and the confidence trickster has been operating among them with a new kind of trick. In Australia —and New Zealanders have no doubt encountered the same condition — it is difficult to obtain gold. The traveller going abroad, and anxious to avoid the murderous exchange, is not at all satisfied with the small dole of sovereigns allowed him by the authorities, and will eagerly snap at any offer of gold. The confidence men worked on this fact. Here are two instances.

Benrv Orford, a baker, travelling on the Ormonde to England, went to the Commonwealth Bank in Melbourne and drew £l4O in notes. Ho was accosted in the bank by a man whom he knew as a follow -passenger, and who said he knew where to get gold for- the notes. They had a drink together, and then they went to the Safe Deposit. Orford hatided over the notes, and the man went inside. Orford waited a long time, but he never saw the obliging stranger again. Richard R. Davison was seated on the deck of the Ormonde in Melbourne when a man accosted him. They talked eavsualjy, and later in the day went into the city together. Davison remarked that he had £75 in notes on which he expected. to loso

and the stranger said he could get gold at the Safe Deposit. They went there. The stranger produced a cheque for £ICO which he said Davison could hold as security, and he took the £75 and disappeared into the Safe "Deposit. Davison waited for a long time and then went imcasily round to the -bank indicated on the cheque. The bank did not know the signature —the cheque was no good whatever. Neither of these confidence tricksters was caught. All out-ward-bound passengers have now been warned against the latest trick.