CONFIDENCE TRICK

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17410, 7 November 1930, Page 8

CONFIDENCE TRICK

AUSTRALIAN’S IMPOSTURE LONDON, Oct. 27. William Young, 62, a native of New South Wales, who served in the Boor War, at Gallipoli, and in France, and has been in England for 16 months, anil a man named Arthur O’Uonnor, have been sentenced to three months’ imprisonment for attempting to steal £3COO from Max Petrascli by means of a. confidence trick. While Petrascli, who recently arrived from Vienna, was admiring the, fountain of the Serpentine, Young accosted him and said that ho owned a farm in, New /.calami from which he derived an income of £3OOO a year. lie suggested joint excursions in London, where, both were strangers, Whilst lunching at a restaurant, a few weeks later they met O’Connor, whom Young described as ■•Mr. Bond, a director of United States hanks.” outer Bond said he could make £l3B- - in a Stock Exchange deal if ho could hank the deposit money in time. Young agreed to put down £4OOO. Petrascli agreed to advance £3OOO. Me went to Vienna and sold his properties and transferred I lie money to a. reputable London bank. When he readied London his suspicions were aroused and he informed the police. The magistrate said that lie was influenced towards leniency by Young’s previous good character and war record.