BETTING CROOKS.

Waikato Times, Volume 102, Issue 17284, 21 December 1927, Page 23 (Supplement)

BETTING CROOKS.

Some of their Wiles. The Need for Caution

L. J - " "PEW people realise the danger they Incur by talking aloud in a public place or in a tone that may be overheard by a third party. A client of ours, very unwittingly, of course, let us in for a considerable sum owing to the neglect of this very necessary precaptionary measure, writes Sam Hughes, a leading English bookmaker, in a London journal. Entering a West End restaurant one night a well-known peer met an old schoolfellow, and they naturally had an animated conversation. "Why don't you come down and stay with us for a few weeks' hunting? It will do you the world of good," said the peer's friend. "Thank you very much, old chap, but my interest in sport to-day is chiefly confined to backing winners," remarked the peer, and significantly added, "when they come off." "By Jove, I am surprised! And you used to be such a very keen huntsman, too." "That's funny you saying that, as 'Huntsman' is my nom-de-plume with Sam Hughes." "Who is Sam Hughes?" "My bookmaker," replied the peer. A man standing by overhead this conversation, and then moved away. The harm was done: the third party was in possession of facts which to him were realisable assets if the circumstances were favourable. Lord had also remarked in the course of the conversation that he was going into the country the day after, and was having a little party as a southcountry meeting, to which he invited his friend. The Sequel. The sequel to this was the complete success of a telephone ramp, its simplicity guaranteeing its final achievement. In my opinion, although there are no corroborating facts, it would appear from the evidence of the information then obtainable that this was the work of the gang whose scout overheard the conversation. There is no other solution of the problem, which cost us a fairly large sum to the tunc of £2500. It is a very common thing for a client who is not in London to telephone his investments by means of a trunk call daily. In order to eliminate as far as possible any chance of fraud, each client is provided with a nom-dc-plume, which is registered in the office for his own personal use only. The main iinc telephone rang. "Is that Central —-—?" "Yes."

"Trunk wants you, hold on.- The usual formula. Again number repeated: "Polkstonc wants you." The caller .was now through. "Huntsman speaking. Is that Hughes's office?" "Put me £250 on Kizil Kourgan."

There was nothing to excite comment, as Kizil Kourgan was running in the Grand Prix, and French racing was very popular with our client. Kizil Kourgan won at 10 to one. Next morning a uniformed servant arrived with a letter from his lordship asking for a cheque, as he was going over to France and his allowance was not yet due. The servant received the cheque, signed a receipt in addition, and that was the very last that was seen of him. The cheque was cashed over the counter, and there was no redress. It may be explained that some clients are very peculiar about their investments becoming known, and very often cash their cheque direct at the bank on which it is made out. When his lordship next rang up he was complimented upon his good win, and his bland astonishment was only equal to his vehement denial. A Message From a Club. There is a practice much in vogue amongst certain clients who make it a study to "do down" the bookmaker. This is particularly applicable to clubs where there is a call box with a glass door and a tape machine. The client rings up just on time every day, and as often as not backs a series of losers. He docs this to the marginal safety limit of his credit. Once he has created his atmosphere of confidence and his investments arc accepted without demur, he prepares for the coup. He rings up a minute or so before time, and his call, coming from a call office, does not excite suspicion. His confederate is at the tape machine, in full view of the box, and by means of a pre-arranged signal the man at the 'phone learns the winner. He has kept the line engaged, mark you, by inquiring how his account stands, and whilst this information is sought for the race has been run.

"You are live pounds in credit, sir." "All right," is the reply. "Put mc five pounds on so-and-so." He, invariably succeeds, and has a very nice win on what his confederate has signalled to him. lie rarely tries it on again for some time, but he lias quite half a dozen accounts with bookmakers, which furnish him with a fair income. There is a time limit in every wellorganised bookmaker's office for investments "up to the ofC" But suppose a client has had a bad week, and this is the last race of the last day, it is considered unsporting to refuse him an opportunity of "getting out."