BOGUS FORTUNE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18596, 5 January 1935, Page 11

BOGUS FORTUNE

"AUSTRALIAN UNCLE" TRICKSTERS' NEW DODGE BEAUTIFUL GIRL AS DECOY LONDON, Deo. 8. Australians; who m the past _ have figured prominently among the victims of European confidence triuKslcrs, should take liced of the now technique by which thousands of pounds are lieing extracted from the pockets of ninny overseas visitors.

The confidence men liiive mobilised new nllies—young and beautiful girls whom tlicy describe us heiresses. In a recent complaint the victim, a South African bachelor, was seated outside a I'aiis cafe when he was engaged in conversation by ai middle-aged* man who claimed to be an Irish-Australian with considerable knowledge of South Africa. Alter a time the lush-Australian confided that lie had an appointment there with his niece, but unfortunately she was not noted for her punctuality, and he was afraid he would have to keep an appointment with his hank manager, who was putting through a big deal for him. With apparent timidity he suggested that the South African might oblige him by keeping the girl entertained until his return. The latter agreeing, the girl was described so well that when she appeared a few minutes later there was no difficulty in recognising her INSEPARABLE COMPANIONS She and the Smith African got on very well, and when the uncle returned, all three went off to luncheon together. Prom that day they became inseparable companions in right-win.? and pleasure rounds. The S nib African soon learned that the girl was one of the world's rihet hen esses—-a slop-ore'is cutting from a Sydney wiper was there to testify to the f.rtith of the story. But she was in jrcnl fear of fortune-hunters, and had

come to Europe to get away from them, and if possible find a serious man who' could be trusted to manage her thousands for her. When the girl was out of the way. "uncle" confided) to the South African that his niece was greatly taken with him. Indeed, he went so l far as to promise to use all his influence with the uiii. if the other was interested. And later, when the South African proposed, he found the r.iiri ready to consent, subject to the uncle's approval. The uncle was ready to approve on condition that the would-be husband proved his'substance by depositing with i'.ic 'id's Paris lawyers a sum of £2OOO i:i oil h. to h.! returned when the engageMi hi ivc.s confirmed. The South African a cepted. I'll.' money was pin ed in a ;:'.d envelope, and duly handed to the :un oed lawyer ill an office near the !' ur e. A dinner was nrrnng d for the formal announcement of the engagement, to a I'cwselect fr:ends and the presentation of the ring. The South African was there, but these was no sign of the others, and when he ultimately found the lawyer's olfiee he discovered that it had been rented for the occasion by an accomplice. *