CONFIDENCE MEN

Hokitika Guardian, 18 November 1929, Page 2

CONFIDENCE MEN

STRANGERS' VICTIMISED IN

MELBOURNE

SYDNEY, Nov. 7

The cables olten remind us of the successes of the confidence tricksters that operate on unsuspecting Australians and New Zealanders in the European capitals. Some oxtrnordmry cases are reported from time to time such for instance as that of the Queenslander, who a few days ago paid £250 on a worthless agreement purporting to give him the Australia and New Zealand rights of an automatic cigarette making machine. But Australian detectives are called upon to investigate tales just as remarkable as those that are reported from abroad It is on record in Melbourne that a tramway manager from Canada “tell' 1 for the tale of an alleged fellow passenger by mail steamer to Melbourne, that by accompaning him to the Federal Treasurers’ office in Melbourne he could have all his foreign bank-notes converted into gold The Canadian trail port official handed over £SOO worth of paper to his professed friend who entered the Treasury by the main 'entrance and passed out at the hack, lhe Melbourne police were able to identify the trickster as one ot the State s most famous criminals, but they could find no trace of. him until the Canadian had left for home. Then, of coure, it was too late to take any action.

Better luck attended' police efforts last week m bringing home reti'hition to a gang of swindlers who extracted by a manwho represented that he had an ■from an it recent abroad, who had less claim to sympathy than the tourist from Canada. In this case an obvious stranger to Melbourne was picked on by a man who represented that had an appointment witli a horse buyer and sought directions how to find one of the best known city hotels. Proud of airing his metropolitan knowledge the. stranger escorted the imposter to the designated spot. Here a second rogue appeared with the information that the horse buyer had gone walking in the public gardens near by. Off they all trekked and discovered the alleged deal er waiting, so lie said, for someone who had won money from him at the ‘Three Blind Mice’ game. He professed to have provided himself with more cash to continue the gamble. In whispered tones the stranger was invited to join in robbing this man. He rose to the l>ait, and naturally and occasion for bitter repentance. The victim was astute enough to hide his knowledge of having been robbed and. hoping to obtain restitution through the channels of the law-lie arranged to meet the swindlers again next day with a further supply of cash. No doubt a member of the gang was detailed to see that the stranger did not communicate with the police, but the spy must have failed in his task. When the party reassembled and resumed gambling, police swarmed out of a. motor-car.' The-crooks ran off in different directions. By pre-arrengement the stranger attached himself to the man who had appropriated his money The rascal was soon secured and his companions were arrested later. They were tried and convicted. There was no restitution of the first day’s haul, but the stranger had the satisfaction of having his despoilers gaoled.