£50000 JEWEL FRAUD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 13 July 1907, Page 3

£SOOOO JEWEL FRAUD.

AMEIUCAX rilUl'S VICTIMISED BY

CLEVER SWJKDLEii.

New York, May S3.

A aeries of clever jewel frauds, which | netted an aggregate of £50,000. worth of gems, has been perpetrated by a man named Edward Boeck, who was the representative of China at the St. Louis Exhibition.

Boeck victimised ten jewellery firms, and escaped with u portion of his booty before their suspicions were aroused. The police have since recovered £IO,OOO worth of the jewellery, which lioeck had paw lied for £3OOO, but the remainder, including three large diamonds and a diamond necklace, is still iu his possession.

lioeck was known as a broker and independent salesman of jewellery. IJ« gained the confidence of many well- | known Xew York business men, and sue[eeeded in negotiating a number of large sales of precious stones.

He called on Mr E. W. Dayton, tha head of a jewellery firm, recently, presented excellent credentials, and promised to introduce several millionaires as customers. l[ e subsequently presented Mr Dayton to members of the Guggenheim firm and also to two wealthy Philadelphians. Boeck also formed an acquaintance with Senator W. A. Clark, and Induced bim to visit Jfr Dayton's' >op. in- Dayton was great impressed with Boeck'S influence.

The latter actually sold large amounts of goods to several wealthy Xewport families, receiving .C2IJO commission therefor.

A month ago Boeek -told Mr Dayton that he could sell Mr Guggenheim five graded pearls. Mr Dayton obtained them from another dealer on depositing £Baoo, and gave them to Boeck.

Dnys passed, and Mr Da.vtou became anxious. He questioned Boeck, who safd Air duggenhcim ivas undeeideil about lmying the pearls, but that he Hvould return them if Jr r Dayton desired. Mr Dayton said lie wanted them, •whereupon Boeck returned 1 lie pearls. The poliee have since learned that he jmwncl them for .*C 1000, and redeemed them on demand.

Mr Dayton's suspicions irere lulled by the prompt return of the jewels, and gave them back to Boeck.

Another interval elapsed., and Mr Daytoil again became anxious. Tie finally visited Mr duggenheim, who said: '•Hoeck is friendly with our -firm, lie told me recently that lie had a chance to sell some valuable pearls. He did not want you to know the name of the. purchaser, and asked if he could use my name. T consented, but I have nob seen the pearls."

The police were thereupon notified, and they found fiat Boeck had adopted similar methods ill obtaining gelns from other firms.

Mr Dayton afterwards received a letter from Boeck, declaring that "the game was up," and enclosing ten pawn ticket* for jewellery pledged. He promised to remit the balance owing in full. The pawnbrokers have been compelled to return the jewels in their possession.