MONEY FROM A WIDOW.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 June 1922, Page 5

MONEY FROM A WIDOW.

MAN ADMITS FRAUD CHARGE. A REMARKABLE STORY. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. . At tbq Police Court, Wilfred Osborne, alias Jack Lovelace, who was arrested at Dunedin, pleaded guilty to a charge of obtaining from a widow, with intent to defraud, a cheque for £206 by means of false pretences, representing that he had deposited £4OOO at the Bank of New Zeeland, Wellington, to pay for a lawsuit against the French Government, and he had lost the case and was afraid the bank would sue him alt once for £175 expenses in connection with the lawsuit. The evidence showed that the widow replied to an advertisement that an American film producer wanted to form a stock companv in New Zealand. Accused claimed <•. distant relationship with her, and told her he had pictures which had to be taken into France, the duty being £lOO. and that a man to whom he gave £5OO for payment or the duty did not pay the money in, with the result that the films were confiscated and 33 times the ordinary duty charged. This led to an action against the French Government. Accused produced a telegram announcing the loss of the case, and complainant, on accused’s representing that he required another £l5O, gave him a cheque for £2OO. Accused was committed for sentence. A detective stated that accused gave authority at the post office to enable him to get the money given to accused.