NEW METHODS

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 452, 8 June 1937, Page 2

NEW METHODS

j CONFIDENCE MEN “Racket” In Racquets Sydney, May 26. I Confidence tricksters are active in | Sydney. I Their audacity reminds/ 'the police i that Australia can produce pllausible I rogues who sometimes attain interna- ! lional notoriety. ; Detectives are hunting a “gentle- ; man” who has developed a “racket" iin tennis racquets He is faultlessly j dressed, and his manners are perjfeet. I In suburban sports stores he seeks I to buy a racquet. He is in no hurry : and while testing one after another I from stock, gains the confidence of | the proprietor by gentlemanly talk and genenal air of breeding. i Finally he selects a good racquet

: anti tells the shopkeeper that he is ! buying it for his daughter. He asks ] that it be sent to a nearby address . | on the following day. , I By this 'time the shopkeeper is . I thoroughly impressed, land when his ; I customer produces a cheque bearing the name of a big city firm and couni tersigned importantly by directors, : ; he does noit hesitate to cash it iat the

I "gentleman’s” request. It is only for £5 odd, and the I “gentleman,” having plaid for the racI duet, receives £3 odd change. He I. It aves_ the shop in the friendliest I fashion —and vanishes. “Tut, Tut” J Another gentleman of similar habi its recently entered a city firm and • proceeded to order a houseful of fur- | niture “for his pUace in the country.” i He said that he had arranged for a rail van to be at Central Station on the following day. His manner also whs impressive and his appearance prosperous. FinI ally, when the long list of items had j been totalled, he wrote a cheque, “inadvertently” adding £2 to the ; amoun't. “Tut, tut,” he. said, when the (assistant directed his attention to the error. “Oh, pever mind. I’m a bit short to-day. Give me the £2 change, if you will.” Pleased with the big order, the assistant made no demur, and the confidence man walked out £2 to the j good. His cheque, of course, wtos valueless. In the case brought to police notice the city firm actually took the goods up to the station, but could not find the rail van!