THE SPANISH SWINDLE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 788, 3 April 1905, Page 2

THE SPANISH SWINDLE.

(Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, April 1. The Government has received, through the Colonial Office, a warntag from the Consular authorities of Spain regarding 1 the operations of a gang who perpetrato a fraud, j known as the "Spanish Swindle." Their methods vary in details, but the principal features are always the same. The swindlers usually write to some person representing that a political prisoner in Spain is cither dying or dead, and has loft by will .valuables or property to his distant relatives; sometimes the prisoner lias a daughter who is left with her property to the guardianship of relatives. If the bait take" bogus legal or official documents are forwarded, followed a request for money to enable possession , at the _ estate to be gained. Needless to say if money Is sent nothing moro is heard of it. The Spanish Consular authorities have reason to belicvo that tlie gang is turning its attention to the British Colonies, and advise the public therein to be warned that the whole affair is a transparent fraud.