A FASCINATING SWINDLER.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8859, 9 July 1907, Page 4

A FASCINATING SWINDLER.

Edward Boeck, a bosom friend of - many of the most prominent- American millionaires, an art patron, a , society pet, and an unofficial agent of the Chinese Government, is “wanted” by the police to-day on charges of embezzling jewellery variously estimated at a value ox from £20,000 to £50,000. . The career of this versatile swindler discloses amazing operations in high and low finance. The son ot an exiled Polish nobleman and an American lady, Boeck was born in China, where he played a prominent nart in the defence of the Pekin

Legations during the Boxer rising. He speaks Chinese and Japanese, as well as six other languages, fluently. It was as the right-hand man cf Prince Pu Lnn, who had charge oi the Chinese exhibit at the &t. Louis Exposition, that Boeck gained his first introduction to the exclusive circles of American society. When Ssix mouths ago he came to New York, he declared his intention or quitting the Orient for good, and his numerous friends loudly applauded his resolution. Boeck engaged gorgeous apartments m tiie Republican Club, and might bo seen any day walking in Broadway arm-in-arm with prominent senators. Introduced to prominent jewellery firms under the patronage of the best known millionaires, and on the plea that he could do excellent business with the ‘Newport set,” he was entrusted with jewels worth thousands of pounds for private sale. He also acted for society women

who wanted to exchange or sou iowellery, and who are now bewailing the loss of priceless _ gems. It is said that among the victims is Mrs Platt, wife of the well fcuown. senator, to whom Boeck owes £2OOO. A fortnight ago Boeck decided to abscond. “The game is np, he coolly wrote to a jeweller fiom whom he obtained diamonds and pearls worth £7OOO on the pretence that a well known millionaire was making large purchases. The jeweli ler immediatiy called on the millioui airo, who admitted having sanctioned the use of his name, saying that ho 1 did so to oblige Boeck, who said that

he desired to keep the identity ox Hie real purchaser a secret xrom the brokers. Such socresy the millionaire believed to be the custom ot the trade. To others of his victims Boeck returned pawn tickets ot a face value of £3OOO. Mr Essenden, president ox the Jewellers’ Protection Association, declared to-day that after the redemption of the pawned articles the loss to local gem dealers would not exceed £16,000. . Boeck, though a married man, successfully wooed the daughter of a Pittsburg steel magnate. The young lady came to Nov/ York a few days ago wearing an engagement ring, wliicli she flung to the ground in bitter mortification on learning that it was not paid for and that her fiance was already married. Boeck borrowed £2OOO from her, hirt that was a trifle, she tearfully explained, compared to the cruel blow her affections had sustained.