Star.
London, England, 1829-10-29 00:00:00

FICTITIOUS CHEQUE PRAUDS.

The above species of swindling has recently increased
to an alarming extent in the metropolis, and the principal sufferers
base been, as usual, the tradesmen at the west end of the town, I
who, within the last ten months, have lost Immense sums by the
fraudulent proceedings of numerous gangs of dashing swindlers.
The following case affords a successful instance of the mode
adopted by these Chevaliers &Industrie, to dupe the unsus-
pecting trader :—A person possessing the advantages of a fa-
shionable exterior and insinuating address, hired a handsome
suite of apartments at the house of a lady named Haslope. residing
in Jermyn-street, Piccadilly, to whom he represented that he car-
ried on the business of a house agent, and possessed an extensive
connection at Brighton. The gentleman provided himself with a
quantity of plans of estates, houses, &c. and having established him-
self in his new abode, he proceeded to order a variety of goods from
the neighbouring tradesmen, the majority of whom received cheques
on Messrs. Cocks and Bidduf ph, the bankers, at Charing-cross, in
payment for thelegoods. On inquiring at Messrs. Biddulpb's, it was
ascertained that the fellow had certainly opened an account with the
firm. but at the expiration of two or three days be drew out the
whole amount of his deposit. Subsequently to which, drafts and
cheques to the amount of £6OO or 4700 had been presented for
payment to the house, drawn by the same individual, the whole
of which were, of course, dishonoured. Upon one occasion,
about three weeks ago, Mr. White, a respectable cheesemonger,
residing next door to Mr. Haslope, was prevailed upon to cash
one of the fictitious cheques for ten pounds, on the representa-
tion of another party that the cash was for the use of Mrs.
Haslope ; and, knowing the respectability of that Lady, he,
unhesitatingly parted with the money, which was forthwith
transmitted to her inmate, who was the author of the scheme
to dupe Mr. White, that person being an utter stranger
to him. bits. Haslope 's doubts of the fellow's respectability
were completely dissipated by an assurance she received from
a gentleman holding a responsible situation in the neighbourhood
of Pall-mall, that the character of her inmate was unexceptionable.
Not a shilling of rent, however, was forthcoming ; and, on being
applied to for payment of the money he had eta dishonestly obtained
from Mr. White, he coolly assured the parties that they need
not labour under any apprehensions, as the money was perfectly
secure. Mr. W. then determined on seeking Magisterial redress, as,
in the event of his apprehension, innumerable cases of swindling
would be established against him ; but timely notice of the proceed-
idgs of the police was forwarded to the adroit knave, who instantly
decamped ; and, although it is understood that he is in the vicinity of
the metropolis, be has hitherto eluded the vigilance of the officers.
Intelligence of the swindling exploits of the same party has also
been forwarded from Brighton. where he obtained considerable
sums by similar practices to those which he resorted to in London;
and, in order more effectually to dupe the inhabitants of that fa-
shionable watering-place, he established himself in elegant apart-
ments on the Marine Parade.—ln addition to the above circum-
stances, four warrants for fraud have recently been lodged in the
King's Bench against a person who availed him.elf of his commis-
sion as an Officer in the Army, to obtain considerable sums of
money from parties to whom he was indebted, by drawing ficti-
tious cheques on Isis Army Agents ; and loud complaints exist that
such characters should be permitted to retain their rank, and
punctually receive the amount of their half-pay.