SWINDLERS’ “GOLD” TRICK

Taranaki Daily News, 3 July 1924, Page 10

SWINDLERS’ “GOLD” TRICK

BARONET LOSES £lO,OOO. London, June 5. The Daily Mail discloses an ingenious fraud by which a gang of American swindlers get £lO,OOO from a certain naronet, who is engaged in business >n the North of England. The baronet opened a letter from Canada, addressed to his brother, who had recently died, in which the writer recounted hi* discovery of a remarkably rich gold mine, in which the brother was entitled to a share on account of Ills partnership with the writer. The letter enjoined the utmost secrecy ! n t-rder to enable the discoverers to peg out as many claims as possible. I The baronet, as his brother’s executor, replied by visiting America, where he met one of the swindlers in New Yortc. who produced samples of gold. The Baronet parted with £lO,OOO for the development of the mine. He received a letter on the following day, saying: “You hot-headed old fool! You’re not the first that’s been done by the gold strike gang!” The gang unsuccessfully tried to dupe other English business men. Their method is to address a letter t'o some deceased person, explaining that a fortune is awaiting him, in the expectation that his relatives or executors will take the bait.