WHOLESALE FORGERY OF BANK OF ENGLAND NOTES.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 214, 7 March 1872, Page 7

WHOLESALE FORGERY OF BANK OF ENGLAND NOTES.

A few months since some Yankee swindlers in New York forwarded circulars to many persons in England, offering to supply them - with some counterfeit English sovereigns alledged to be so very skilfully made as to defy detection. The scheme was exposed and signally failed. Recently several tradesmen in London and suburbs received a well-executed lithographed ch'cular in blue ink, from a person signing* himself Charles J. Whitington, of 34, Johnson-street New York, offering to supply them with forged Bank of England notes for circulation in this country. The persons who have received these letters have handed them to the Metropolian and City police, who will inform the New York Police of what has occurred. The following is a copy of the letter : — "New York, October 27, 1871. Dear friend, — I take the liberty of submitting to you the subjoined proposition, at" the suggestion of a friend whom you have had considerable transactions with, and who resides in London. He gave you a very high character as to honor, integrity, and secrecy. It is but natural that you should be astonished on its first perusal, but on calm reflection, no doubt, you will arrive at the same conclusions as I have done- -namely, that the only loser in our teide will be the Government, and, of course, it can survive the losf. I was engaged over fifteen years in the engraving department in the Bank of England, and am at present manufacturing fac-similes cf Bank of England noces, (£l, £5, and £10.) These notes are so admirably executed, both in the numbering and engraving, as to defy detection ; therefore, you wilt run no more risk in passing them than if they were genuine, particularly when ruffled up and soiled. You can easily realise from £25,000 to £50,000 per annum, by caution and judicious management. It is said that every man, on an average, gets one chance in a lifetime, to make a fortune. This may be yours, don't let it slip. I will supply you with the above notes at the rate of £100 for every £1000; but if you order a £5,000 package, I will charge you only £400. You will perceive the advantage of ordering a large quantity at once ; then you can employ some confidential friend to assist you in getting rid of it quickly. Bear in mind, I will not send out samples, for obvious reasons, and on no account will I give credit ; but for the first transaction I will deviate from my usual custom of insisting on all cash in advance. On receipt of £3 in advance, I will forward you a package containing £1,000 ; for £5 in advance, I will send you £2,000 ; and for £10 in advance, I will send you .£5,000, provided thatyou will agree to pay the balance as soon as possible after its arrival. The goods will be securely packed in strong boxes, and shipped by express, marked as chemicals ; this is the mode I have adopted for the past year, and never have any mistakes occurred, althongh I have sent these goods to London, Liverpool, Manchester, &c, every other week. To illustrate how easily it is to circulate these notes without any suspicion, I will mention the following : — ' During my visit to London, last summer, I paid half my expenses with my own notes by mixing them with genuine money, and on one occasion I changed a £10 note (counterfeit) in the Bank of England ; in fact, the cashier never looked at it twice.' In case you conclude to accept my proposal, remit at once, if not, I must seek some more enterprising agent in youv neighbourhood. Hoping to receive your oi'der soon, I remain, yours, on the square, Charles J. Whitingtox, 34, John street, New York City, U.S.A. P.S.— Let me know where you wish the package addressed, and the most convenient express office ; also, whether you want the goods 'shipped in your own name, or not."