The New York herald., 1876-03-11
A NEW sw1NDLE EXPOSED.
THE FRAUDS PERPETRATED By MEANS OF AMERI-
CAN DISTRICT TELEGRAPH MESSENGERS.

THE FRAUDS PERPETRATED By MEANS OF AMERi-
CAN DISTRICT TELEGRAPH MESSENGERS.
| Everybody knows what a great public convenience
the American District Telegraph is with its army OF
messenger boys but appears that clever rogues and
swndlers have commenced TO utilize for purposes OF
fraud. HERALD writer yesterday had an interview
with Mr. L. W. Andrews, the President OF the com
pany, whose Office is at No 62 Broadway, and elected
he following important and startling PARTICULARS
'Ihesc swindles have been going on for some time"
tsad Mr.. Andrews. ''Some Of the rascals have been
arrested, and one OF them is serving out term in
the State Prison; yet the frauds OF ingenious
character that It is time the public should be warned
against them A short time since a well-drcsscd man
entered of our branch Offices at Twenty-ninth
street and Broadway, opposite the Glsey House, and
desired messenger boy to take order for coal 10
dealer with his check TO pay for the The note
written ordering the coal was something Ike this:-
New YORK. -, 1876.
GESTIENFN-Pleasc send two tons Of coal -. Broad
Chsc oa 500 % f e s HsTS Ses na s Gr
exact amount }o1 NC eharse yop & MI eass return change II
The telegraph boy duly ordered the coal at the Office
Indicated and brought 10 the the recopted bill
the coal, ms well us the change due-about IS. OF
course the jewcry firm indicated had ordered coal,
the check the coal dealers received bogus and the
ceSer confidence man had been successful 1t IS true
he only received small sum- but the perfection OF his
| roguish ingenuity demonstrated.
The next operation which came under the notice OF
the officers OF the telegraph company was the follow
! ing
way, near Thirieth street. received orders by Dis
trct Telegraph boy TO insert in three newspapers,
HERALD Tribune and Times an advertisement of The
Stcinway Company's pianos This order accompa
med by check purportng TO be drawn 10y the firm 'or
$32 with request that the difference, # any, should
be returned to the Mcssrs Stenway by the boy. The
! willy confidence man was, however, deprived OF the
ready cash in this instance from the fact the adverts
Inn haoly tl.
| l1drawn to the order OF the Mcssrs Seinvay, but
probable ere this the check has been used in
way with forged Endorsement by the adroit swndlcr
Another case coming to the notice OF the company is
ono whore the OF Mr. George Leland OF the Stur
treasurer OF a certain ball commlttee-an entertain
ment was to be gwen at the Academy Of Music and
check was sent to subscribe for box for the OCCASION
but OF course for larger amount than the price fixed
by the committee The rascal was successful in this
! petty swndle.
But perhaps the most cunning OF all the devices OF
the swinder remains be told The scoundrel entered
a cigar store Broadway time since and looked
over the choice stock Havanas He then said 10 the
storekeeper, Il you have District Telegraph
| instrument here; will you please call boyy" The
man complied, and in few moments breabless mes
senger obeyed the summons. "NOw want a box of
cigars for my brother; do not know the exact color
he likes, these seem too light, and these again'ndi
his residence, at No. = Fourteenth street. and he will
pay for the box he prefers and return the other. The
willing shopkeepcr obeyed The boy instructed to
collect, and departed on his errand. He found
cabe sort o! gentleman the steps of the house in
! acateo apparently waiting lot hlfn' An you nave
! my CIGARS said the man. interroSativcly ''Yes''
was the answer OF the unsuspecting messenger lad
handing him the packages and The bill. ''But where is
the brandy, was the demand II have none" replied
| the boy "rhey were TO send The brandy, too. Go
back and get it and will pay all together The boy
! departed ard did tue with the cigars
| About three months since the Manufacturers
| Traders Bank OF Grcenpoint, Long Island was
swindled through District Telegraph messenger by
cashing two forged checks for over 5000 by
from of the district olc,s. The first was
sent from the branch No sic Broadway and the last
No dyyaV cks
the boy familiar with the who sent the messages
delivered to him the cash alter 1t paid by the bank
The OF this man. however, cut short by his
discovery in the Bowery by the very two boys who
had carried the messages between the bank and him.
He was promptly arrested by the acute and speedy
alarm they gave the police. Now that these swndles
known TO be rife il viii be well for all persons to be
their guard ere long the villains may be embold-
ened by their success 10 attempt larger frauds.