CONFIDENCE TRICK

Hokitika Guardian, 20 September 1933, Page 3

CONFIDENCE TRICK

STORY THAT DID NOT GO DOWN. An 'American visitor ;to Paris had the delightful experience of beating two confidence tricksters. In most stories of the confidence trick it- i s the beifevolent Irishman with a fortune to distribute to the poor who eventually walks off with the bank-rooll of the victim. -• ' . In this-nase the old “rosary trick” ivas tried. The American followed the practice of all victims of the confidence trick by accepting an invitation to an elaborate lunch. During the meal he was told the old storj- of the immense fortune to he given to deserving poor, and was invited to help in the distribution Of course it was explained that before the would-be benefactors could entrust the guest with a large sum of money he must- prove his own financial stability. He did this by exhibiting a letter of credit for a substantial amount. Then he was invited to accompany one of the "confidence” men to a bank in order to produce his wealth in actual bank-notes. When the tricksters said that the letter of credit was not in itself a, sufficient guarantee, the prospective “victim” told them firmly, and not very politely, to tell their story “to the marines.” He thanked them- for an excellent lunch and at the same time informed them that he could not stay to pay the bill because—be was going straight out to look for a policeman.