Wednesday, June 29, 2011

A Wartime Con Game

A social column in the Hobart News of April 25, 1918, included a little item warning of a scam run on soldiers' parents and loved ones:
Parents of soldiers in camps are warned by the War Department of a swindle which has been successfully operated in various camps. A telegram is sent informing that the soldier has a furlough, and requesting funds by wire to come home, waiving identification. The rest is a matter of detail. Parents and friends should be warned of this game and of the similar one where the telegraphic request is to mail money to the soldier care general delivery.

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