Another Swindle.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1632, 11 February 1886, Page 2

Another Swindle.

j chie,f , commissioner , of police 'm J Melbourne has received from.th.c. assistjant cqmi»Bsio^pr of police jn England a Jetteif' enclosing a'pcipy of a circular ■which wi^ recently issued to the ; English' ipress, and' Whic- it- is suggested should' be brought under the notice of the Aus tralian. press. .' The circular, is i'asl" fcl^-'t lows :— Police Caution!— tt has come to jthe knoj.ytedge,"of^the*cjn|mmissioner of (police oitho* metropolis that a fraud is jabout to 'be <attempted by -a gang of ■notorious convicts and others; operating ifroin Switzerland. The rootfuis operand} is as folio svs :— Circulars will- be forrwarded to persons m this country, pointing out the advantage of buying a watch for £2, which can be pledged m Great Britain for /£% 10s. A fac simile of a pawn , tickpfc is printed on the circular, giving the name' of a SiHll-knowVi firm of pawnbrokers , m London, purporting that a watch sold for £2 was actually jpledged with them for £2 10s. As a sample, and to induce further investments, a good watch will probably be se^t m .the first instance, and worthless, articles will follow. Invitations will' klsb be given to purchase coupons for! foreign government lotteries that would result, if ever tliev are drawn, m benefitting the conspirators only, or m the distribution of worthless prizes. Persons receiving these' circulars are warned, not to part with any money before satisfying themselves that the articles offered to therij are genuine. If any person should allow himself to be defrauded, he will have little or no remedy."' It is thought that some of these circnlarss may find their way to the colonies, as they are being addressed to English-sii>eakiilg peffple m various parts : of Europe and Australia. . .'