Betting Frauds in the West of England.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4378, 15 January 1883, Page 2

Betting Frauds in the West of England.

. A-remarkabje. conspiracy .on the parfc^of a betting T ring 'is reported "to have bfcsn discovered injth refWes¥ Mr England, and the discoveries are expected to severely compromise, people" in .respectable positions. The modus operdndi tappers to, have been as follow? ,-rA^ »ing having enlisted the co-operation.jof^aplerk in" a central telegraph office, "proceeded from .time to time to various small towns in the neighbourhood despatching telegrams, for which the clerk' tvpuld be in waiting, backing particular horses. The arrangewas that these- telegrams ,should be handed' in a few minutes before tbe races were timed to start, and on Reaching the central office they were td.be detained, by the coadjutor until the winitting-numkeis came in, when the messages "should;bi so altered that those despatching.) them should have, registeredMtb^-bets which should have great profits. The effect of the illusion,_was.,that,,in spite of the detention, the persons ' receiving^ the messages were unable to suspect any foul , play, because the jtime? of- ,despatoh and i receipt was distinctly' 'stated, and but I for the various embarrassments^ Jnto which a tradesman in a dfstVntpiir/of the country became involved the matter would probably not bare been brought, tojigbt. In consequence of thisjjand the difference ! between, the'time of r receijpt ana despatch complaints were' made, and &\ s,taff of special deteciivej Mft^ brought .down, and the whole .affair'is.'now; said' to have been, completely traced through. The matter is creating great;tntoreft-«mongst the betting fraternity throughout Devonshire. . . r t }