ATTEMPT TO SWINDLE BY TELEPHONE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 1088, 31 October 1883, Page 4

ATTEMPT TO SWINDLE BY TELEPHONE.

Swindlers have not yet been able to use the telephone successfully in furtherance of their aims, but a bold attempt in this direction was recently made in New York. An “ honestlooking and plain spoken man,” describing himself as a “ grocer at Harlem,” called upon a firm of stockbrokers, requesting them to sell for him some shares which were perfectly marketable * Being an entire stranger to the firm, and haying no references, his proposal was not at first entertained; but at last, the apparent honesty and simplicity of the man prevailed, and the security was disposed of, the Harlem away with him a cheque for the amount realised. A week or two passed, andthe man again presentedhimself at the brokers’ office, explaining in the most natural way that he had not needed tlie money, had consequently kept the cheque in his pocket, and asking that it might be cashed. This reasonable request was complied with, and subsequently the grocer, having gained the confidence of ihe firm and their clerks, called and asked permission to make use of their telephone for the purpose of inquiring about the arrival of a steamer then fdue. This favor was readily granted, and after a rather prolonged occupation of the telephone.,box he . departed. It subsequently'appeared that at that moment the honest grocer was acting in concert with a confederate who was presenting a cheque for payment at the banker’s bank bearing the forged signature of their firm. The cheque which he had received in payment for his shares had furnished facility for forging a counterfeit one, and the next step was to provide against the risk of its being disputed, When at the appointed time the confederate, presented the forged instrument ait the bank, the cashier objected to cash it. “If you don’t believe this cheque is genuine,” said the grocers’ partner, “ speak through the telephone to A. B. and Co.”—the firm of brokers —“ and ask them if it is not, and I will wait” The cashier evidently equal to the occasion—replied, “ How do I know who is at the other end of the telephone ?” Payment was thereupon promptly declined, and a messenger having despatched to enquire if the cheque was good, brought back the answer that it was a forgery.