The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-01-06
CLEVER FRENCH SWINDLERS.
An Ingenious Trick That Was
Worked for Months Without
DiSCoVerV.

People, are talking a good deal to-day
ABOUT the capture OF gang of clever
sWlndlerS, called ia bande des ariStos,"
as 1t was composed of individuals of gen.
tlemanly appearance, who kept to them
selves, had no dealings with other and
less preten tious groups of the same char
acter, and worked on a very ambitious
scale. These men, who treated themselves
without stint to titles, and who protested
headquarters in this city of estates which
We're for sale in the provinces, and, after
obtaining complete information as to the
lo1osyncracies of their intended victims,
started bold on their campaign. One Of
them called, as if by the mereest chance,
10 look at the property in question, eX-
planning that he thought that it would
just suit a friend, who might wish to run
down there now and then. An appoint
ment was made, and in the course of a
few days an accomplice appeared, in COM
pany with the original visitor, and was
introduced as the likely purchaser.
The bargain was discussed over a good
deJeuner, and then it was suggested by one
OF the strangers that so many thousand
francs should be put down as a guaran-
tee In the event of the buyer eventually
>changing his mind, like sum being de-
feit it If he determined after all on re-
tanning the house and grounds. In not
lew cases the proposition was gladly ac-
cepted, the money was placed by the own
er OF the estate in a cash box, which, in
It's turn, was closed in a small portman-
teau, which one of the visitors volun-
leeIeu 10 ledVe Win MIN, ana winch was
specially arranged for the trick. The
strangers then bade their host farewell,
ana with many proteStationS of friend
ship, but as they were leaving the house
the owner of the pOrtmanteau suddenly
remembered that he needed some article
of clothing which it contained. The key
was handed to him by the proprietor, the
object mentioned removed, and at last
they were off for good 'and all.
When the fortnight, which had been
agreed upon as the interval during which
a. NaT1f ltr1T R11
had rolled by the would-be seller opened
the cash box to find, to his horror that
1t was full Of worthless paper. 1t was not
his own, but another like it, and he had
been deceived by the resemblance.
Extraordinary to relate, this ingenious
band had worked for months without once
being baffied the money of which it
contrived to possess itself being estimated
at upward Of 480000. The ringleader,
himself with a rare show of French and
foreign aliases, and with a marvellous ar
ray Of titles to boot. He is accused of
having appropriated through these nefari-
iouS transactions sums varying from 5000
to over 100, 900 francs, and at his aboue
divers tools used for the manufacture of
the wonderful valises have been discov-
cred. Another, who is also charged with
ha ing enriched himself under similar
conditions, had fair amount Of capital
deposited in two banks. Six members of
one of them, are now secure under lock
and key, and the police officials are be-
ing warmly congratulated on their cap
ture, which has been effected after long
and patient Observation-Disclosures Core
spondence London Telegraph.