Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-07-16
OLD CAME OF FRAUD
IS REVIVED IN SPAIN
"Spanish Prisoner" as Game
Is Known Was Blotted Out
Once, but Has Reappeared

WASHINGTON. July 13.-The old
t-Spanish prisoner swindIing game.
which a few years ago caught quite a
few victims in this country. has been
revived again. this time appearing in
cieverer and more dangerous form than
ever before At present il Is being
worked in England. writes Consul Rob
ert Frazer. Jr-. from Valencia. Spain.
and during the past two weeks IL cases
have been reported TO the British consul
AZ Valencia from England.
SO far as Is known, however. no one
has yet fallen victim to the new form
Of the swindle. Those receiving the pre-
liminary advances OF the swindlers by
mail simply referred the letters 20 the
government authorities
The old swindle always got its money
BY mail and the victims thus never suf-
fered bodily harm. The new variation
asks the victim 20 come personally 10
Spain. bringing s2.400 IN gold" with
him. What would happen to a stranger
with s2.4O0 in gold in his belt. falling
IN with a company of desperadoes in
some lonely part Of Spain can readily
be imagined A little powder in his
roHee. or a dagger between his ribs. and
-poufi
Another, though not so clever imita-
fion OF the swindle. is also being work
Cd from Spain Consul Frazer in his
communication describes both new sys-
tens. According TO Frazer. the less
sclever OF the two limitations tells to the
victim the story OF "a Russian banker"
who absconded with 100000 roubles
and afterwards shot a compatriot while
hiding IN London. he plays the part
81 the prisoner in the scheme.
.u~N~Unw r~nwrrwaa nTfw.-
ping in English giving his history and
the story OF his arrest. and his letter
tells about his portmanteau with the Sc
cret pocket containing the voucher for
$3.50. 600, and Offering a third part as
reward 10 his American rescuer. He
instructs the victim not 70 write but
70 cable in case he Is willing 10 assist
the prisoner.
THE PARIS BANKER"
The other scheme. or that Of the
Paris banker is much more cleverly
done. This opens like the last. though
more guardedly and with no mention OF
a murder. The victim is also earnest
~ requested not 70 write. but 20 cable
70 a certain address in Valencia"
Frazer writes that an American out
OF curiosity cabled as requested. and
when he received his instructions, sent
them 10 the consul.
~ ne is asked 10 OEAnE Win @AsHNN
In gold in order to pay the costs and
free the prisoners effects, but was as
sured that he would have to pay moth
ing until, through the aid OF a friendly
prisoner guard. he had actually seen
the hidden draft and telegraphed TO
New York bank 20 inquire If IL was
good and would be paid to the bearer.
This. apart from the convincing tone
OF the whole letter and the perfectly
cOunterfeited documents. seals, newspa-
per clippings. etc. accompanying ii. is
the most plausible factor connected
with the scheme. The element OF dan
ger Is in the arrangement that the
prison guard is to ask for leave Of alb
sence for the purpose OF meeting the
American at Zaragoza on his way to
Valencia The excuse for this is that
the latter and the guard should bring
the bankers daughter from the asylum
IN Zaragoza, where the authorities have
placed her.
The American is asked to wear
handkerchief round his wrist on de-
as Identification, and is told to go to a
certain hotel there. 1t seems not I'M
likely that apart from the money loss
a dupe arriving as far as the last stage
with S2.40O in cash would probably suf-
fer foul play as well"
According to Frazer, the original
Spanish prisoner or Cuban prisoner
swindle was very successful until IL
was thoroughly exposed. In 1907 alone
American dupes are known 10 have con-
tributed about $50. 900 TO the swindlers,
and the consul regards IL as certain
that there were many other victims
who preferred taking their losses in
silence TO have their gullibilfty known
The swindlers were so well organ
ized." writes Frazer. had so many
years Of experience in working their
fraud. and had IL 50 well arranged TO
work through a chain OF people, Of
whom many were merely catspaws who
themselves did not realize the part they
were playing. that II was matter OF
extreme difficulty 10 bring any OF the
rineleaders to justice.
Occasionally one OF their tools, or
even a more guilty accomplish. would
be caught, but. somehow. sufficient evil
dence was never obtained 70 convict the
ringleaders and definitely break up the
gang Finally, through some splendid
work done by Consul c. S. Winans at
this post in 1905. by means OF tracing
backwards through Endorsements on
drafts cashed by swindlers, several OF
the gang who were probably pretty
close TO the guiding spirits were
caught"