CONFIDENCE TRICK

Hokitika Guardian, 26 April 1918, Page 4

CONFIDENCE TRICK

A new form of the “ confidence trick.” Two men named Frank Harris, 32, described as a bookmaker, and George Wallace, 22, described as a clerk, were arrested in Melbourne last week on a charge of having defrauded James Lain out, of Teuterfield, New .South Wales, of a considerable sum of money. It is alleged that the accused met Lamont in Sydney, and interested hint in a horse in which they them : selves were professedly- financially interested, and which was'■ready to “ win a race in a few days.” With the pair, Lamont, it is stated, inspected a horse at Randwick, and, being duly impressed, he gave; Harris and" Wallace to put on the horse. The two men were disappointed at the smallness of the speculative investment, and later informed Lamont that they were “ ashamed to see the horse coming out with so little on him.” Lamont, further impressed, gave them a cheque for ,£2OO. A few days later they again approached the countryman, and urged him to have “a

really good win,” assuring him that the horse “ was fit to run for anything,” and was' a “dead cert.”

Catching the infection of their \enthusiasm, Lamont, according to his statement to the police, handed over a second cheque for making his total investment and arranged for an appointment two days-later. The appointment was not kept by accused, and Lament's tardily-arourecl suspicions were confirmed by a visit to his bank, and the information that the two cheques had been cashed. He then reported the matter /to the police. The arresting detectives recovered £9l from accused.